Ziaelas of Bithynia
| Ziaelas | |
|---|---|
| Basileus of Bithynia | |
| Kings of Bithynia | |
| Reign | c. 254 BC - 228 BC |
| Predecessor | Etazeta |
| Successor | Prusias I |
| Born | c. 265 BC |
| Died | 228 BC (age 37) |
| Issue | Prusias I |
| Father | Nicomedes I |
Ziaelas (Template:Lang-grc-gre; lived c. 265 BC – 228 BC, reigned c. 254 BC – 228 BC), third king of Bithynia, was a son of Nicomedes I and Ditizele.
Life
After Nicomedes I died, his second wife Etazeta of Bithynia became ruler on behalf of her infant sons. The grown-up Ziaelas, excluded from the throne, had previously fled to Armenia and taken refuge at the court of King Arsames I in Sophene. On his father's death he immediately endeavoured to regain his rights by force, and returned, aided by some Galatians. Although Etazeta was supported by neighbouring cities and Antigonus II Gonatas, Ziaelas rapidly conquered first part, then all, of Bithynia, forcing Etazeta and her sons to escape to the court of Antigonus II Gonatas in about 254 BC.[1]
During the Fraternal War between Seleucus II Callinicus and Antiochus Hierax, he seized the opportunity to attack the later, trying to conquer Asia Minor[2] They latter became allies and his daughter, born c. 245 BC, married Hierax.[3]
He was succeeded by his son Prusias I about 228 BC after being killed by the Galatian Gauls.[4][5] Like his father and his grandfather he also founded a new city named after him, Ziaela, but the location of the city is unknown.[6].
References
- ^ Memnon, History of Heracleia, 14
- ^ Justin, Epitome of Pompeius Trogus, xxvii. 2-3
- ^ Eusebius, Chronicon (Schoene ed.), pag. 251
- ^ Athenaeus, Deipnosophistae, II. 58, citing Phylarchus
- ^ Pompeius Trogus, Prologi, 27
- ^ Stephanus, Ethnica, s.v. "Ziela"
Sources
- Cohen, Getzel M.; The Hellenistic Settlements in Europe, the Islands and Asia Minor (1996), "Ziela"
- Smith, William (editor); Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology, "Zeilas", Boston, (1867)
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Smith, William, ed. (1870). "Zeilas". Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology. Vol. 3. p. 1310.