Pygmalion of Tyre facts for kids

Pygmalion was a powerful king of Tyre, an ancient city in what is now Lebanon. He ruled for 47 years, from 831 to 785 BCE. His father was King Mattan I.

During Pygmalion's time, Tyre was a major trading city. It seems that the city's trade routes shifted from the Middle East to the Mediterranean Sea. This led to the creation of new colonies, like Kition on Cyprus and settlements on Sardinia. One of the most famous stories from his reign is about the founding of Carthage, a powerful city in North Africa. This city was traditionally founded by Pygmalion's sister, Dido.

What's in a Name?

The name Pygmalion comes from the Greek language. In the ancient Phoenician language, which was spoken in Tyre, his name might have been something like Pumayyaton. This name means "Pummay has given," referring to a god.

Some historians have connected Pygmalion's grandfather, Baal-Eser II, to an ancient record. This record shows that Baal-Eser II, also known as Baa‘li-maanzer, gave gifts to Shalmaneser III, the king of Assyria, in 841 BCE. This helps historians figure out the timeline of Pygmalion's family.

When Did Pygmalion Rule?

Historians figure out Pygmalion's dates from ancient writings, especially those by Josephus, who quoted a Phoenician historian named Menander. According to these texts, Pygmalion ruled for 47 years.

A key event in his reign was when his sister, Dido, left Tyre and later founded the city of Carthage. There are two main dates for the founding of Carthage: 825 BCE or 814 BCE.

• The 814 BCE date is more commonly accepted.
• However, the 825 BCE date fits better with other ancient records, like the building of Solomon's Temple and the tribute paid to the Assyrian king Shalmaneser III by Pygmalion's grandfather.

Many scholars now believe that Dido fled Tyre in 825 BCE, during Pygmalion's seventh year as king. She didn't found Carthage immediately. She and her followers first sailed to Cyprus and then settled on an island near where Carthage would be built. After about 11 years, in 814 BCE, they finally founded the city of Carthage on the mainland. This idea helps to explain the two different dates found in ancient writings.

Based on these ideas, here are the estimated dates for Pygmalion and his family:

• Baal-Eser II (Pygmalion's grandfather): 846–841 BCE
• Mattan I (Pygmalion's father): 840–832 BCE
• 831 BCE: Pygmalion becomes king.
• 825 BCE: Dido leaves Tyre.
• 814 BCE: Dido founds Carthage.
• 785 BCE: Pygmalion dies.

Ancient Clues: The Nora Stone

A drawing of the Nora stele, an ancient stone with writing.

The Nora Stone is an ancient stone tablet found on the island of Sardinia in 1773. It has Phoenician writing on it and is believed to be from the 9th century BCE, around the time Pygmalion lived.

Some historians, like Frank Moore Cross, have suggested that the writing on the Nora Stone might mention a king named "Pummay." They believe this "Pummay" could be a shorter version of Pygmalion's Phoenician name. If this is true, the stone might be talking about a battle fought by Pygmalion's general in Sardinia.

However, it's important to know that not all scholars agree on how to read or translate the Nora Stone. Some think it's a message thanking a god for a safe journey, not a record of a battle or a king. So, while it's an interesting clue, it's not a definite link to Pygmalion.

See also

• List of Kings of Tyre
• Dido (Queen of Carthage)
• Pygmalion (mythology)