| Alexander Leontiscus | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Koine Greek: Ἀλέξανδρος Λεοντίσκος Romanized: Alexandros Leontiskos Latin: Alexander Leontiscus | |||
| Dynasty | Ptolemaic Dynasty | ||
| Pharaoh(s) | Ptolemy I | ||
| Titles | King's Son | ||
| Father | Ptolemy I | ||
| Mother | Thaïs | ||
| Born | ca. 324 BC, Susa | ||
| Burial | Unknown | ||
- For other pages by this name, see Alexander or Leontiscus.
Alexander Leontiscus (Koine Greek: Ἀλέξανδρος Λεοντίσκος, romanized: Alexandros Leontiskos), also simply referred to as Leontiscus, was a prince of the Ptolemaic Dynasty during the Hellenistic Period.
Family[]
Leontiscus was the second son of Ptolemy I. His mother was Thaïs, a Greek hetaira (i.e. courtesan/entertainer) who accompanied Alexander the Great on his military campaigns and was Ptolemy's mistress. Leontiscus had an older sister named Eirene, an older brother called Lagus, and many younger half-siblings.
Biography[]
Despite being the product of an extramarital relationship, Ptolemy had his relationship with Thaïs and their children together "quasi-legitimized".[1] Leontiscus was presumably sent to Cyprus at the time his uncle Menelaus was made military governor of the island in 311 BC. Menelaus and Ptolemy were defeated by Demetrius Poliorketes at the Battle of Salamis (306 BC). Ptolemy's complete loss of Cyprus followed. Both Menelaus and Leontiscus were captured after the battle, but Demetrius showed mercy by sending them back to Egypt unharmed and without ransom.[2]
References[]
Bibliography[]
- Ellis, W.M., 1994: Ptolemy of Egypt. Routledge, London.