Attalus III facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Attalus III Philometor Euergetes
Attalus III (or II), 150/152 BC from Antikensammlung in Berlin.
King of Pergamon
Reign	138–133 BC
Predecessor	Attalus II
Successor	Eumenes III
Born	c. 170 BC
Died	133 BC
Greek	Άτταλος Γ΄ Φιλομήτωρ Ευεργέτης
House	Attalid dynasty
Father	Eumenes II
Mother	Stratonice of Cappadocia
Religion	Greek Polytheism

Attalus III (Greek: Ἄτταλος Γ΄) Philometor Euergetes (c. 170 BC – 133 BC) was the last Attalid king of Pergamon. He ruled this ancient Greek kingdom from 138 BC to 133 BC.

Who Was Attalus III?

Attalus III was the son of King Eumenes II and Queen Stratonice of Pergamon. He became king after his uncle, Attalus II. His full name, "Philometor Euergetes," means "Loving-his-Mother, Benefactor" in Greek. This name showed his close bond with his mother, Stratonice.

A King's Interests

Unlike many kings, Attalus III was not very interested in ruling his kingdom. Instead, he spent his time on other hobbies. He enjoyed studying medicine and botany, which is the study of plants. He also loved gardening and other peaceful activities.

The Future of Pergamon

Attalus III did not have any children to inherit his throne. Because of this, he made an important decision about his kingdom's future. In his will, he decided to leave the entire kingdom of Pergamon to the Roman Republic. He believed that Rome would take the kingdom anyway. By giving it to them, he hoped to prevent any fighting or bloodshed.

A Kingdom Divided

Not everyone in Pergamon was happy with Attalus III's decision to give the kingdom to Rome. In 131 BC, a man named Aristonicus led a revolt. Aristonicus claimed to be Attalus's brother and the son of an earlier king, Eumenes II. He ruled for a short time as Eumenes III.

The Roman army eventually put down this uprising in 129 BC. After the revolt ended, Pergamon was not kept as one kingdom. Instead, it was divided among Rome, the Kingdom of Pontus, and the Kingdom of Cappadocia.