Antonia Tryphaena facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Antonia Tryphaena

Antonia Tryphaena (born 10 BC – died 55 AD) was a princess from the Kingdom of Pontus. She later became a Roman Client Queen of Thrace. Her name in Greek was ἡ Ἀντωνία Τρύφαινα or Τρυφαίνη.

Her Family and Early Life

Tryphaena was the youngest child and only daughter of King Polemon Pythodoros and Queen Pythodorida. Her parents were "client rulers" for Rome. This meant they governed their kingdom but were allied with and supported by the powerful Roman Empire.

She had two older brothers. Zenon, also known as Artaxias III, became a Roman client king of Armenia. Her other brother, Polemon II of Pontus, became the last Roman client ruler of Pontus after their mother.

Tryphaena had both Anatolian Greek and Roman family roots. Her grandfather, Zenon, was a famous speaker and noble who supported Mark Antony. Her Greek grandparents, Pythodoros of Tralles and Antonia, were wealthy friends of the Roman leader Pompey.

Through her grandmother Antonia, Tryphaena was a direct descendant of Mark Antony and his second wife, Antonia Hybrida Minor. Mark Antony was a very important Roman general and politician. Tryphaena was his third great-grandchild. Her first name, Antonia, shows this connection. Her second name, Tryphaena, is an ancient Greek name. It was often used by Greek queens and princesses from the Ptolemaic dynasty in Ancient Egypt. However, Tryphaena was not related by blood to the Ptolemaic family.

Because of her connection to Mark Antony, Tryphaena was also a distant cousin to several Roman emperors. These included Caligula, Claudius, and Nero. She was also related to empresses like Messalina and Agrippina the Younger.

Tryphaena's father died in 8 BC. Her mother then married Archelaus of Cappadocia, who was the Roman Client King of Cappadocia. Tryphaena and her brothers grew up in his royal court. After Archelaus died in 17 AD, her mother and brother Polemon II moved back to Pontus.

Becoming Queen of Thrace

Before 12 AD, Tryphaena married Cotys III, a prince from Thrace. Cotys was the son of Rhoemetalces I and Pythodoris I, who were the Roman client rulers of Thrace. When Rhoemetalces I died in 12 AD, Tryphaena became the Queen of Thrace.

Historians like Tacitus and the geographer Strabo wrote about Tryphaena. Tacitus mentioned her as Cotys's widow. Strabo referred to her as the daughter of Polemon Pythodoros and Cotys's wife. Strabo was also a friend of Tryphaena's mother.

We also know about Tryphaena from old coins, stone carvings (inscriptions), and buildings she had built. On some coins that still exist, her royal title is shown as ΒΑΣΙΛΙΣΣΗΣ ΤΡΥΦΑΙΝΗΣ, which means of Queen Tryphaena.

In the ancient Greek city of Cyzicus (which is now in modern Turkey), Tryphaena and her children left many inscriptions. Cyzicus became her second home. Some of these inscriptions tell us about her family, for example:

Άντωνία Τρύφαινα Βασιλέως Πολέμωνος καί Βα[σιλίσ]σης Πυθοδωρίδος Θυγάτηρ

Antonia Tryphaena, daughter of King Polemon and of Queen Pythodoris

After the Roman Emperor Augustus died in 14 AD, Tryphaena paid for the city of Cyzicus to be rebuilt. This included fixing its harbors and canals. She did this to honor Augustus.

Later, in 18 AD, Cotys's uncle, Rhescuporis II, wanted to take over Cotys's part of the Thracian Kingdom. Cotys refused. This disagreement led to Rhescuporis II capturing and killing Cotys in 18 AD. After this, Tryphaena and her children escaped to Cyzicus.

Roman Emperor Tiberius investigated Cotys's death. Tiberius put Rhescuporis II on trial in the Roman Senate. Tryphaena was invited to attend. During the trial, Tryphaena accused Rhescuporis II of killing her husband and forcing him out of his kingdom. Tiberius found Rhescuporis II guilty. He was sent away to live in Alexandria, Egypt. On his way there, Rhescuporis II tried to escape and was killed by Roman soldiers.

Tiberius then gave the entire Thracian Kingdom back to Tryphaena. He appointed her oldest son, Rhoemetalces II, to rule with her. Rhescuporis II's son, Rhoemetalces III, was allowed to return to Thrace.

Tryphaena and Cotys had four known children:

• A son, Rhoemetalces II. He was named after his grandfather. He ruled with Tryphaena from 18 AD until his death in 38 AD.
• A daughter, Gepaepyris. She married Tiberius Julius Aspurgus, the Roman Client King of the Bosporan Kingdom.
• A son, Cotys IX. He was named after his father. He became the Roman Client King of Lesser Armenia from 38 AD until at least 47 AD.
• A daughter, Pythodoris II or Pythodorida II. She was named after her grandmothers. In 38 AD, after Rhoemetalces II died, Tryphaena stepped down from the throne. This was at the request of Roman Emperor Caligula. Pythodoris II married her cousin, Rhoemetalces III. They ruled Thrace together as Roman Client Rulers from 38 AD to 46 AD.

While Tryphaena's children were growing up, they spent time at the court of Antonia Minor in Rome. Antonia Minor was another great-aunt of Tryphaena's. She was a very important woman who guided many young princes and princesses. Her group helped maintain the Roman Empire's borders and managed its allied kingdoms.

In 38 AD, Emperor Caligula appointed Tryphaena to be a priestess in the cult of Julia Drusilla. Later, in 42 AD, Emperor Claudius appointed her as a priestess in the cult of the late Roman Empress Livia Drusilla. From 38 AD until her death, Tryphaena lived as a private citizen in Cyzicus. She was a generous supporter of Cyzicus and was favored by Caligula. Tryphaena was a respected citizen in Cyzicus. Her way of life influenced other noble women in Anatolia.

Possible Connections to Judaism and Christianity

Tryphaena's brother, Polemon II, married a princess named Julia Berenice from Judea. Through this marriage, Polemon converted to Judaism and possibly later became a Christian.

Some Christian writings suggest that Tryphaena herself might have converted to Christianity after hearing the teachings of Paul the Apostle. In Christian stories like the Acts of Paul and Thecla, there is a Queen Tryphaena, who is related to the emperor. The Epistle to the Romans (16:12) also mentions a person named Tryphena who "works in the Lord’s service." Later Christian records connect her with Iconium. These characters are likely based on Antonia Tryphaena.

Tryphaena of Cyzicus, who is a patron saint of Cyzicus, was named in honor of Antonia Tryphaena.