Amastris (ruler of Heraclea) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Amastris
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| Ἄμαστρις | |
Didrachm of Amastris. Amastris was the first woman to issue coins in her own name. British Museum.
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| Born | |
| Died | c. 284 BC |
| Spouse(s) | Craterus Dionysius Lysimachus |
| Children | Clearchus II and Oxyathres |
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Amastris (Greek: Ἄμαστρις; around 340/39- 284 BC), also known as Amastrine, was a powerful Persian princess. She became the ruler of the city of Heraclea from about 300 BC until her death. She was the daughter of Oxyathres, who was the brother of the Persian King Darius III. Amastris was very important because she was the first woman in the Mediterranean region to be publicly known as a royal leader with political, economic, and administrative power. She even had coins made with her own name on them!
Contents
Amastris's Early Life and Marriages
We don't know much about Amastris's early life before she got married for the first time. Since her father's name was Oxyathres, it's thought she didn't have any brothers. As a princess in the Persian royal family, she would have been taught how to manage and lead.
Marrying Craterus and Dionysius
Alexander the Great arranged for Amastris to marry Craterus. But in 322 BC, she married Dionysius, who was the ruler of Heraclea Pontica in Bithynia. Craterus then married another woman named Phila. It's not clear who decided they should separate.
This marriage helped Dionysius a lot. He became much richer, gained more power, and made his people happier and more loyal. Amastris and Dionysius had three children together: a daughter also named Amastris, born around 321/0 BC, and two sons, Clearchus (born 320/19 BC) and Oxyathres (born 319/8 BC).
Becoming Regent Queen
After Dionysius passed away in 305 BC, Amastris became the guardian of their children. She also took on the role of regent queen, meaning she ruled Heraclea for her young children. Other important people, like Antigonus I Monophthalmus, helped her with the city's government for a while.
Marriage to Lysimachus
Amastris married Lysimachus in 302 BC. They might have had a son named Alexander. After a big battle called the Battle of Ipsus, Lysimachus called Amastris to a city called Sardis. Soon after, they separated. Lysimachus then married Arsinoe II, who was a daughter of Ptolemy I Soter, the first pharaoh of Ptolemaic Egypt.
Amastris as an Independent Ruler
After her marriage to Lysimachus ended, Amastris went back to Heraclea. She ruled the city as its leader all by herself. She remained a friend and ally of Lysimachus.
Founding the City of Amastris
Shortly after 300 BC, Amastris founded a new city and named it after herself: Amastris. This city was on the coast of Paphlagonia. She created it by joining four smaller towns: Sesamus, Cromna, Cytorus, and Tium. Tium later became independent again, but the other three towns stayed part of the city of Amastris. She helped with the resettlement of people in the new city. It's likely she received special honors for founding and protecting the city. Her coins show that she was considered a "Basila," which means "Queen" or "Ruler."
The End of Her Rule
Amastris's life ended around 284 BC. After she passed away, Lysimachus took control of Heraclea. Sadly, he also put her sons, Clearchus and Oxyathres, to death.
See also
In Spanish: Amastris (princesa persa) para niños
