Ziaelas of Bithynia
Ziaelas (Greek: Ζιαήλας; 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 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, he 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 Antigonus' court in Macedonia about 254 BC.[Note 1]
He was succeeded by his son Prusias I about 228 BC after being killed by the Galatian Gauls.[Note 2] Like his father and his grandfather he also founded a new city named after him, Ziela, but the location of the city is unknown.[Note 3] His daughter, born c. 245 BC, married Antiochus Hierax.[1]
Notes
- ↑ Justin, Epitome of Pompeius Trogus, xxvii. 2-3; Polyaenus, Stratagemata, iv. 17; Eusebius, Chronicon (Schoene ed.), pag. 251; Pompeius Trogus, Prologi, 27;
References
- ↑ Memnon, History of Heracleia, 14
- ↑ Athenaeus, Deipnosophistae, ii. 58; 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). "article name needed". Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology.
Preceded by Etazeta |
King of Bithynia 254 BC – 228 BC |
Succeeded by Prusias I |