The divinization of the Ptolemies and the gold octadrachms honoring Ptolemy III

Authors
Johnson, CG
Citation
Cg. Johnson, The divinization of the Ptolemies and the gold octadrachms honoring Ptolemy III, PHOENIX-CAN, 53(1-2), 1999, pp. 50
Citations number
18
Categorie Soggetti
Classical Studies
Journal title
PHOENIX-THE JOURNAL OF THE CLASSICAL ASSOCIATION OF CANADA
ISSN journal
00318299 → ACNP
Volume
53
Issue
1-2
Year of publication
1999
Database
ISI
SICI code
0031-8299(199921)53:1-2<50:TDOTPA>2.0.ZU;2-A
Abstract
The article shows that Ptolemaic coinage of the third century B.C., in part icular the gold octadrachms of Ptolemy IV honoring his father Ptolemy III, associated the Ptolemic kings with divinity, but stopped short of presentin g them as gods during their own lifetime. This changed during the second ce ntury, when from Ptolemy VI onwards, the Ptolemies described themselves as gods in their titles not just on coin legends, but also in official documen ts.