| Attalus II "Brother-Loving" | |
|---|---|
 Statue of Attalus II | |
| King of Pergamon | |
| Reign | 159-138 BC |
| Predecessor | Eumenes II |
| Successor | Attalus III |
| Born | 220 BC |
| Died | 138 BC (Aged 81-82) Pergamon |
| Spouse | Stratonice |
| Greek | Άτταλος Β΄ Φιλάδελφος |
| Dynasty | Attalid dynasty |
| Father | Attalus I |
| Mother | Apollonis |
| Religion | Greek Polytheism |
Attalus II Philadelphus (Greek: Ἄτταλος ὁ Φιλάδελφος,Attalos II Philadelphos, which means "Attalus the brother-loving"; 220–138 BC) was a ruler of theAttalid kingdom ofPergamon and the founder of the city ofAttalia.
He was the second son ofAttalus I Soter and queen Apollonis of Cyzicus,[1] and ascended the throne first as co-ruler alongside his ailing brotherEumenes II in 160 BC, whose widowStratonice of Pergamon he married in 158 BC upon Eumenes' death.[2]
Prior to becoming king, Attalus was already an accomplished military commander. In 192 BC he was sent by his brother Eumenes toRome to warn againstAntiochus III. In 190 BC, he was present in theBattle of Magnesia[3] which resulted in a defeat against the Seleucids. Around 189 BC he led his forces to fight alongside theRoman Army underGnaeus Manlius Vulso inGalatia.[4] From 182-179 BC, he successfully defeated theKingdom of Pontus underPharnaces I,[5] gaining some territory. In 172, Eumenes, returning from a visit to Rome, was attacked nearCirrha and was believed to be dead. Attalus, upon learning of this, married his brother's widowStratonice and became king of Pergamon. When his brother returned, he divorced Stratonice and ceded the power to his elder brother without a fight.[6]
Attalus II also made frequent diplomatic visits to Rome, and sent frequent envoys such asAndronicus of Pergamum, gaining the esteem of the Romans. At one point, they offered him assistance to overthrow his brother, but he declined.[7] When his brother died in 159 BC, his nephew was too young to rule at the time, so he ascended the throne as regent and married Stratonice once again. The Romans had assisted him in his own battles againstPrusias II in 156–154 BC. In the summer of 152, he,Ptolemy VI,Ariarathes V, and Rome, helped the pretenderAlexander Balas to seize the Seleucid throne fromDemetrius I[8] and in 149 BC, he helpedNicomedes II Epiphanes to seize theBithynian throne from his fatherPrusias II.[9]
Attalus expanded his kingdom with the help of his good friendAriarathes V of Cappadocia, and founded the cities ofPhiladelphia andAttalia (Antalya). He was well known as a patron of the arts and sciences, and was the inventor of a new kind ofembroidery.
In his old age, he relied upon his chief minister, named Philopoemen (Φιλοποίμην), to help him govern. He repelled a raid by theParthians.
He was succeeded by his nephewAttalus III upon his death.
He is present during the battle of Magnesia
supports the Roman commander Manlius Vulso during his war against the Galatians.
War against king Pharnaces of Pontus; territorial gains.
On his return, Eumenes is attacked near Cirrha, and believed to be death. Attalus II becomes king and marries queen Stratonice. When Eumenes returns, Attalus cedes power.
During the Third Macedonian War, the Romans start to distrust Eumenes and try to make Attalus king, but he is not willing to betray his brother.
Summer 152: Attalus II, together with Ariarathes V of Cappadocia, the Egyptian king Ptolemy VI Philometor, and Rome, support Alexander I Balas, usurper in the Seleucid Empire.
Attalus supports Nicomedes, who overthrows his father Prusias II of Bithynia.
| Regnal titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | King of Pergamon 159–138 BC | Succeeded by |
