Pythodoros of Tralles
Encyclopedia
Pythodoros of Tralles, also known as Pythodorus was an exceedingly wealthy Anatolia
n Greek
living in the 1st century BC. Pythodoros originated came from Tralles (modern Aydın
, Turkey
). Not much is known on his family. He was a friend to the late Roman triumvir Pompey
.
Pythodoros became the first son-in-law to the Roman
triumvir Mark Antony
. In 36 BC, Pythodoros had married one of Antony’s eldest children, his daughter Antonia. Antonia was the daughter and only child from the triumvir’s second marriage to his paternal cousin Antonia Hybrida Minor. His wife was about 20 years younger than he was. The reason that Antony arranged for Pythodoros to marry his daughter was to hopefully gain some of Pythodoros’ wealth for his war chest in his campaign to invade Parthia
. However, it is uncertain if Antony had ever gained some of his wealth for his military campaigns.
Pythodoros and his wife settled in Smyrna (modern İzmir
, Turkey
). Either in 30 BC or 29 BC, Antonia bore Pythodoros, a daughter and only child Pythodorida
, whom through her marriages became Queen of Pontus
and Cappadocia
. Pythodorida was born and raised in Smyrna.
Anatolia
Anatolia is a geographic and historical term denoting the westernmost protrusion of Asia, comprising the majority of the Republic of Turkey...
n Greek
Greeks
The Greeks, also known as the Hellenes , are a nation and ethnic group native to Greece, Cyprus and neighboring regions. They also form a significant diaspora, with Greek communities established around the world....
living in the 1st century BC. Pythodoros originated came from Tralles (modern Aydın
Aydin
Aydın is a city in and the seat of Aydın Province in Turkey's Aegean Region. The city is located at the heart of the lower valley of Büyük Menderes River at a commanding position for the region extending from the uplands of the valley down to the seacoast...
, Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
). Not much is known on his family. He was a friend to the late Roman triumvir Pompey
Pompey
Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus, also known as Pompey or Pompey the Great , was a military and political leader of the late Roman Republic...
.
Pythodoros became the first son-in-law to the Roman
Ancient Rome
Ancient Rome was a thriving civilization that grew on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 8th century BC. Located along the Mediterranean Sea and centered on the city of Rome, it expanded to one of the largest empires in the ancient world....
triumvir Mark Antony
Mark Antony
Marcus Antonius , known in English as Mark Antony, was a Roman politician and general. As a military commander and administrator, he was an important supporter and loyal friend of his mother's cousin Julius Caesar...
. In 36 BC, Pythodoros had married one of Antony’s eldest children, his daughter Antonia. Antonia was the daughter and only child from the triumvir’s second marriage to his paternal cousin Antonia Hybrida Minor. His wife was about 20 years younger than he was. The reason that Antony arranged for Pythodoros to marry his daughter was to hopefully gain some of Pythodoros’ wealth for his war chest in his campaign to invade Parthia
Parthia
Parthia is a region of north-eastern Iran, best known for having been the political and cultural base of the Arsacid dynasty, rulers of the Parthian Empire....
. However, it is uncertain if Antony had ever gained some of his wealth for his military campaigns.
Pythodoros and his wife settled in Smyrna (modern İzmir
Izmir
Izmir is a large metropolis in the western extremity of Anatolia. The metropolitan area in the entire Izmir Province had a population of 3.35 million as of 2010, making the city third most populous in Turkey...
, Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
). Either in 30 BC or 29 BC, Antonia bore Pythodoros, a daughter and only child Pythodorida
Pythodorida of Pontus
Pythodorida or Pythodoris of Pontus was a Roman Client Queen of Pontus, Bosporan, Cilicia and Cappadocia.-Origins & Early Life:Pythodorida is also known as Pythodoris I and Pantos Pythodorida. According to an honorific inscription dedicated to her in Athens Greece in the late 1st century BC, her...
, whom through her marriages became Queen of Pontus
Pontus
Pontus or Pontos is a historical Greek designation for a region on the southern coast of the Black Sea, located in modern-day northeastern Turkey. The name was applied to the coastal region in antiquity by the Greeks who colonized the area, and derived from the Greek name of the Black Sea: Πόντος...
and Cappadocia
Cappadocia
Cappadocia is a historical region in Central Anatolia, largely in Nevşehir Province.In the time of Herodotus, the Cappadocians were reported as occupying the whole region from Mount Taurus to the vicinity of the Euxine...
. Pythodorida was born and raised in Smyrna.
Sources
- http://www.ancientlibrary.com/smith-bio/0218.html
- http://www.roman-empire.net/articles/article-028.html
- http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~jamesdow/s054/f325798.htm
- http://www.romansonline.com/Persns.asp?IntID=1630&Ename=Antonia
- http://www.tyndalehouse.com/egypt/ptolemies/cleopatra_vii_fr.htm