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---------- What I Like About Ancient Coins ---------- |
Hellenistic Names and their Meanings |
Ancient Hellenistic rulers took, or were given, an epithet or nickname that was used like a modern surname. Rulers were distinguished by this name – the system of numbering rulers was not used until modern times.
This simple page aims to unravel their meanings and list who was called by each name. I was inspired to write this page while trying to sort out the names of the Seleukids and Ptolemies, many of whom have several such names, but there are several other dynasties to consider as well. The list includes 142 people with 58 different appellations.
Names that contain a hard K sound, such as Kleopatra and Physkon, are also commonly spelled with a C, as Cleopatra and Physcon. I have shown variations in the left-hand column, to make searching easy, but elsewhere I have standardised on the original Greek K. I have also used the Greek-style "-os" name endings in preference to the latinised "-us".
The only real question mark I have left is against the first name, Aegos. If you know the intended meaning, or have a correction to any of these, or have more to add to the list, please email me and I'll make the change.
Title | Meaning | Full Name(s) of Ruler(s) |
Aigos or Aigus | Sheep |
Alexander IV Aigos, putative heir to Alexander the Great. |
Aetolikos or Aetolicus | Of Aetolia |
Demetrios II Aetolikos, Antigonid ruler of Makedon 239-229 BCE. |
Alexander | Named after Alexander III The Great |
Ptolemy X Alexander I, Hellenistic ruler of Egypt 107-88 BCE. Ptolemy XI Alexander II, Hellenistic ruler of Egypt 80 BCE. |
Aniketos or Anicetus | The Invincible |
Artemidoros Aniketos, an Indo-Greek ruler in the area of Gandhara and Pushkalavati in modern northern Pakistan and Afghanistan, circa 100 or 85 BCE. Demetrios I, named Aniketos posthumously, king of Baktria and surrounding areas circa 180-120 BCE. Demetrios III Aniketos, possibly an Indo-Greek king who reigned in the area of Gandhara and Punjab, date uncertain but perhaps around 100 BCE. Lysias Aniketos, an Indo-Greek king probably around 130-120 BCE. Philoxenos Aniketos, an Indo-Greek king who ruled in the region spanning the Paropamisade to Punjab circa 125 or 100 BCE. |
Asiatikos or Asiaticus | From Asia |
Antiochos XIII Dionysos Philopator Kallinikos, known as Asiatikos, ruler of the Seleukid empire 69-64 BCE. |
Auletes | The Flautist |
Ptolemy XII Neos Dionysos Theos Philopator Theos Philadelphos, known as Auletes or Nothos, Hellenistic ruler of Egypt 80-58 BCE and 55-51 BCE. |
Balas | Lord (a Hellenised version of Ba'al) |
Alexander I Balas, ruler of the Seleukid empire 150-145 BCE. |
Barypos | Heavy-Foot |
Philip II Philoromaeos or Barypos, ruler of the Seleukid empire 65-63 BCE. |
Cholos or Cholus | The Lame |
Prusias I Cholus, king of Bithynia 228-182 BCE. |
Caesarion | Little Caesar |
Ptolemy XV Philopator Philometor Caesar, nicknamed Caesarion, son of Kleopatra VII and Julius Caesar, joint Hellenistic ruler of Egypt 44-30 BCE. |
Dikaios (male) or Dikaiosyne (female) | The Just (or Equitable) |
Archebios Dikaios Nikephoros, Indo-Greek king of Taxila c. 90-80 BCE. Heliokles II Dikaios, Indo-Greek king probably around 95-80 BCE. Kleopatra III Philometor Soteira Dikaiosyne Nikephoros (Kokke), joint Hellenistic ruler of Egypt 116-101 BCE. Menander II Dikaios, Indo-Greek king of Arachosia and Gandhara either c.90-85 BCE or c. 65 BCE. Peukolaos Soter Dikaios, an Indo-Greek king who ruled in the area of Gandhara c. 90 BCE. Zoilos I Dikaios, King of nothern India and nearby regions around 150-135 BCE. |
Dionysos or Dionysus. (See also Neos Dionysos) | Name of the god of wine and divine madness. |
Antiochos VI Dionysos, nominated as ruler of the Seleukid empire 145-140 BCE. Antiochos XII Dionysos, ruler of the Seleukid empire 87-84 BCE. Antiochos XIII Dionysos Philopator Kallinikos, known as Asiatikos, ruler of the Seleukid empire 69-64 BCE. Mithridates VI Megas Eupator Dionysos, king of Pontos 120-63 BCE. |
Doson | He Who Will Give |
Antigonos III Doson, Antigonid ruler of Makedon 229-221 BCE. |
Epimanes | The Madman |
Antiochos IV Epiphanes, nicknamed Epimanes by the Judaeans, ruler of the Seleukid empire 175-164 BCE. |
Epiphanes (male) or Epiphaneia (female) | (God) Manifest; Illustrious |
Antiochos IV Epiphanes, nicknamed Epimanes by the Judaeans, ruler of the Seleukid empire 175-164 BCE. Antiochos IV Epiphanes, also known as Gaius Julius Antiochos IV Epiphanes and Antiochos IV of Commagene, last king of Commagene 38-72 CE. Antiochos VIII Philometor, sometimes called Epiphanes or Kallinikos, nicknamed Grypos; ruler of the Seleukid empire 125-96 BCE (and also with Kleopatra Thea 126-123 BCE). Antiochos XI Epiphanes Philadelphos, ruler of the Seleukid empire 95-92 BCE. Ariarathes VI Epiphanes Philopator, king of Cappadocia 130-116 BCE or 126-111 BCE. Ariarathes VIII Epiphanes, king of Cappadocia c. 101-c. 96 BCE and 95 BCE. Berenike IV Epiphaneia, Hellenistic ruler of Egypt 58-55 BCE. Nicomedes II Epiphanes, king of Bithynia 149 BCE to c. 127 BCE. Polyxenios Epiphanes Soter, Indo-Greek king of western Punjab or Gandhara, probably 85-80 BCE. Ptolemy V Epiphanes, Hellenistic ruler of Egypt 204-181 BCE. Seleukos VI Epiphanes, ruler of the Seleukid empire 96-95 BCE. |
Etesias | (Short-Lived, Like the Winds) Of Etesia |
Antipater Etesias, Antipatrid ruler of Makedon 279 BCE. |
Eukaeros or Eucaerus | Well-Timed |
Demetrios III Eukaeros Philopator, ruler of the Seleukid empire 95-87 BCE. |
Euergetes (male) or Euergetis (female) | The Benefactor |
Antiochos VII Euergetes, nicknamed Sidetes, ruler of the Seleukid Empire, 138-129 BCE. Attalos III Philometor Euergetes, king of Pergamon 138-133 BCE. Kleopatra Thea Euergetis, ruler of the Seleukid empire from 125-121 BCE, and with a complicated life story that I suggest looking up, for example in Wikipedia. Mithridates V Euergetes, seventh king of Pontos, reigned c. 150-120 BCE Nicomedes III Euergetes, king of Bithynia c.127-c.94 BCE. Ptolemy III Euergetes, Hellenistic ruler of Egypt 246-222 BCE. Ptolemy VIII Euergetes II, nicknamed Physkon, nicknamed Kakergetes, Hellenistic ruler of Egypt 182-116 BCE. Telephos Euergetes, Indo-Greek ruler of Gandhara either c. 75-70 BCE or c. 60 BCE. |
Eupator | (Of A) Good Father |
Antiochos V Eupator, ruler of the Seleukid empire 164-162 BCE. Mithridates VI Megas Eupator Dionysos, king of Pontos 120-63 BCE. |
Eusebes | The Pious |
Antiochos IX Eusebes Kyzikenos, ruler of the Seleukid empire 114-96 BCE. Antiochos X Eusebes Philopator, ruler of the Seleukid empire 95-92 or possibly 83 BCE. Ariarathes IV Eusebes, king of Cappadocia 220-163 BCE. Ariarathes V Eusebes Philopator, king of Cappadocia 163-130 BCE. Ariarathes IX Eusebes Philopator, king of Cappadocia c. 101-89 BCE or 96-95 BCE. Ariarathes X Eusebes Philadelphos, king of Cappadocia c. 42-36 BCE. |
Gonatas | Literally "knock-knees", perhaps a play on "from Gonus" (his birth-place) |
Antigonos II Gonatas, Antigonid king 283-239 BCE. |
Grypos or Grypus | Hooknose |
Antiochos VIII Philometor, sometimes called Epiphanes or Kallinikos, nicknamed Grypos; ruler of the Seleukid empire 125-96 BCE (and also with Kleopatra Thea 126-123 BCE). |
Kallinikos or Callinicus | Beautiful Victor |
Antiochos VIII Philometor, sometimes called Epiphanes or Kallinikos, nicknamed Grypos; ruler of the Seleukid empire 125-96 BCE (and also with Kleopatra Thea 126-123 BCE). Antiochos XIII Dionysos Philopator Kallinikos, known as Asiatikos, ruler of the Seleukid empire 69-64 BCE. Seleukos II Kallinikos, ruler of the Seleukid empire 246-225 BCE. |
Kakergetes | Malefactor |
Ptolemy VIII Euergetes II, nicknamed Physkon, nicknamed Kakergetes, Hellenistic ruler of Egypt 182-116 BCE. |
Keraunos or Ceraunus | Thunder |
Ptolemy Keraunos, King of Makedon 281-279 BCE (half-brother of Ptolemy II Philadelphos of Egypt). Seleukos III Soter, nicknamed Keraunos, ruler of the Seleukid empire 225-223 BCE. |
Kokke | Red |
Kleopatra III Philometor Soteira Dikaiosyne Nikephoros (Kokke), joint Hellenistic ruler of Egypt 116-101 BCE. |
Ktistes or Ctistes | The Founder |
Mithridates I Ktistes, founder and ruler of the kingdom of Pontos (or Pontus), 302-266 BCE. |
Kybiosaktes | Cutter-up of Tuna Fish |
Seleukos VII Philometor, nicknamed Kybiosaktes, ruler of the Seleukid empire 70s to 60s BCE approx. |
Kynegos or Cynegus | The Hunter |
Prusias II Kynegos, king of Bithynia 182-149 BCE. |
Kyzikenos or Cyzicenus | From Kyzikos |
Antiochos IX Eusebes Kyzikenos, ruler of the Seleukid empire 114-96 BCE. |
Lathyros | Chickpea |
Ptolemy IX Soter II Lathyros, Hellenistic ruler of Egypt 116-107 BCE and 88-81 BCE. |
Megas | The Great |
Alexander III Megas, king of Makedon 336-323 BCE and conqueror of much of the western world. Antiochos III Megas, ruler of the Seleukid empire 223-187 BCE. Mithridates VI Megas Eupator Dionysos, king of Pontos 120-63 BCE. |
Monopthalmos or Monopthalmus | The One-Eyed |
Antigonos I Monophthalmos, establisher of the Antigonid dynasty, ruler of Asia Minor and Northern Syria 306-301 BCE. |
Neos (See also Neos Dionysos) | The Young |
Ptolemy VII Neos Philopator, probably never reigned as Hellenistic ruler of Egypt. |
Neos Dionysos or Neos Dionysus | New Dionysos |
Ptolemy XII Neos Dionysos Theos Philopator Theos Philadelphos, known as Auletes or Nothos, Hellenistic ruler of Egypt 80-58 BCE and 55-51 BCE. |
Nikator or Nicator | The Victor |
Amyntas Nikator, an Indo-Greek king whose coins have been found both in eastern Punjab and Afghanistan. Seleukos I Nikator, ruler of the Seleukid empire as Satrap 311-305 BCE, King 305-281 BCE. The name "Nikator" was assigned posthumously. Demetrios II Nikator, ruler of the Seleukid empire 145-138 BCE and 129-126 BCE. |
Nikephoros | The Victorious |
Antialkidas Nikephoros, Indo-Greek king perhaps 115-95 BCE or 130-120 BCE. Archebios Dikaios Nikephoros, Indo-Greek king of Taxila c. 90-80 BCE. Kleopatra III Philometor Soteira Nikephoros (Kokke), joint Hellenistic ruler of Egypt 116-101 BCE. Antimachos II Nikephoros, Indo-Greek king of a territory from the Hindu-Kush to the Punjab, probably 174-165 BCE. |
Nothos | The Bastard |
Ptolemy XII Neos Dionysos Theos Philopator Theos Philadelphos, known as Auletes or Nothos, Hellenistic ruler of Egypt 80-58 BCE and 55-51 BCE. |
Philadelphos or Philadelphus (see also Theos Philadelphos) | Brother-Loving |
Antiochos XI Epiphanes Philadelphos, ruler of the Seleukid empire 95-92 BCE. Ariarathes X Eusebes Philadelphos, king of Cappadocia c. 42-36 BCE. Attalos II Philadelphos, King of Pergamon 160-138 BCE (joint rule with Eumenes II 160-158 BCE). Mithridates IV Philopator Philadelphos, king of Pontos c.155-c.150 BCE. Philip I Philadelphos, ruler of the Seleukid empire 95-84/83 BCE. Ptolemy II Philadelphos, Hellenistic ruler of Egypt 284-246 BCE. |
Philometor (male) or Philometora (female) | Mother-Loving |
Ariarathes VII Philometor, king of Cappadocia 116-101 BCE or 111-100 BCE. Attalos III Philometor Euergetes, king of Pergamon 138-133 BCE. Kleopatra II Philometora Soteira, Hellenistic ruler of Egypt 131-127 BCE. Kleopatra III Philometor Soteira Dikaiosyne Nikephoros (Kokke), joint Hellenistic ruler of Egypt 116-101 BCE. Ptolemy VI Philometor, Hellenistic ruler of Egypt 180-145 BCE. Ptolemy XV Philopator Philometor Caesar, nicknamed Caesarion, joint Hellenistic ruler of Egypt 44-30 BCE. Pythodorida Philometor (of Pontos), Roman client queen of Pontos, Bosporus and Cappadocia during the 1st century BCE and 1st century CE. Seleukos V Philometor, son of Kleopatra Thea (and killed by her); ruler of the Seleukid empire 126-125 BCE. Seleukos VII Philometor, nicknamed Kybiosaktes, ruler of the Seleukid empire 70s to 60s BCE approx. Antiochos VIII Philometor, sometimes called Epiphanes or Kallinikos, nicknamed Grypos; ruler of the Seleukid empire 125-96 BCE (and also with Kleopatra Thea 126-123 BCE). |
Philopator (see also Theos Philopator) | Father-Loving |
Antiochos X Eusebes Philopator, ruler of the Seleukid empire 95-92 or possibly 83 BCE. Antiochos XIII Dionysos Philopator Kallinikos, known as Asiatikos, ruler of the Seleukid empire 69-64 BCE. Ariarathes V Eusebes Philopator, king of Cappadocia 163-130 BCE. Ariarathes IX Eusebes Philopator, king of Cappadocia c. 101-89 BCE or 96-95 BCE. Berenike III Philopator, Hellenistic ruler of Egypt 81-80 BCE. Demetrios III Eukaeros Philopator, ruler of the Seleukid empire 95-87 BCE. Kleopatra VII Philopator, famous Hellenistic ruler of Egypt 69-30 BCE. Mithridates IV Philopator Philadelphos, king of Pontos c.155-c.150 BCE. Nicomedes IV Philopator, king of Bithynia c.94 to 75/74 BCE. Ptolemy IV Philopator, Hellenistic ruler of Egypt 222-204 BCE. Ptolemy VII Neos Philopator, probably never reigned as Hellenistic ruler of Egypt. Ptolemy XIII Theos Philopator, joint Hellenistic ruler of Egypt 51-47 BCE. Ptolemy XV Philopator Philometor Caesar, nicknamed Caesarion, joint Hellenistic ruler of Egypt 44-30 BCE. Seleukos IV Philopator, ruler of the Seleukid empire 187-175 BCE. |
Philoromaeos or Philoromaeus | Lover of Rome |
Philip II Philoromaeos or Barypos, ruler of the Seleukid empire 65-63 BCE. |
Physkon or Physcon | Sausage, Potbelly, or Bladder |
Ptolemy VIII Euergetes II, nicknamed Physkon, nicknamed Kakergetes, Hellenistic ruler of Egypt 182-116 BCE. |
Poliorketes or Poliorcetes | The Beseiger |
Demetrius I Poliorketes, Antigonid ruler of Makedon 294-288 BCE. |
Pythodoros | Gift of the Pythia (Priestess of Delphi; figuratively, Mother Earth) |
Marcus Antonius Polemon Pythodoros, Roman Client King of Cilicia, Pontus, Colchis and the Bosporan Kingdom 38-62 CE; of Cilicia from 62-74 CE. Polemon I Pythodoros, Roman Client King of Cilicia, Pontus, Colchis and the Bosporan Kingdom 39-8 BCE. |
Sidetes | From Side |
Antiochus VII Euergetes, nicknamed Sidetes, ruler of the Seleukid empire 138-129 BCE. |
Soter (male) or Soteira (female) | The Saviour |
Antiochos I Soter, co-ruler of the Seleukid empire from 291 BCE, sole ruler 281-261 BCE. Apollodotus I Soter, Indo-Greek king of Taxila in Punjab to the areas of Sindh and possibly Gujarat, 180-160 BCE or 174-165 BCE. Apollophanes Soter, Indo-Greek ruler of the eastern Punjab c. 35-25 BCE. Attalos I Soter, ruler of Pergamon 241-179 BCE. Demetrios I Soter, ruler of the Seleukid empire 161-150 BCE. Diomedes Soter, Indo-Greek ruler, probably of the Paropamisade, either c. 95-90 BCE or c. 115-105 BCE Dionysios Soter, Indo-Greek ruler of the eastern Punjab either c. 65-55 BCE or c. 55-45 BCE. Hermaeos Soter, Indo-Greek ruler of the Paropamisade either c. 90-70 BCE or c.95-80 BCE. Kleopatra II Philometora Soteira, Hellenistic ruler of Egypt 131-127 BCE. Kleopatra III Philometor Soteira Dikaiosyne Nikephoros (Kokke), joint Hellenistic ruler of Egypt 116-101 BCE. Menander I Soter, ruler of Baktria and other areas 165 or 155 - 130 BCE. Peukolaos Soter Dikaios, an Indo-Greek king who ruled in the area of Gandhara c. 90 BCE. Polyxenios Epiphanes Soter, Indo-Greek king of western Punjab or Gandhara, probably 85-80 BCE. Ptolemy I Soter, Hellenistic ruler of Egypt 305-282 BCE. Ptolemy IX Soter II Lathyros, Hellenistic ruler of Egypt 116-107 BCE and 88-81 BCE. Seleukos III Soter, nicknamed Keraunos, ruler of the Seleukid empire 225-223 BCE. Strato II Soter, Indo-Greek ruler of the eastern Punjab c. 25-10 BCE. Zoilos II Soter, Indo-Greek ruler of the eastern Punjab c. 55-35 BCE. |
Thea (female) or Theos (male) (see also Theos Philopator and Theos Philadelphos) | God or Goddess |
Antimachos I Theos, ruler of Baktria c. 185-170 BCE. Antiochos II Theos, ruler of the Seleukid empire 261-246 BCE. Kleopatra Thea Euergetis, ruler of the Seleukid empire from 125-121 BCE. Ptolemy XIII Theos Philopator, joint Hellenistic ruler of Egypt 51-47 BCE. |
Theos Philadelphos | God Beloved of His Brother |
Ptolemy XII Neos Dionysos Theos Philopator Theos Philadelphos, known as Auletes or Nothos, Hellenistic ruler of Egypt 80-58 BCE and 55-51 BCE. |
Theos Philopator | God Beloved of His Father |
Ptolemy XII Neos Dionysos Theos Philopator Theos Philadelphos, known as Auletes or Nothos, Hellenistic ruler of Egypt 80-58 BCE and 55-51 BCE. |
Theotropa | Like a Goddess |
Agathokleia Theotropa, Indo-Greek queen who ruled in parts of northern India as regent for her son Strato I, probably around 110-85 BCE. |
Tryphon (male) or Tryphaena (female) | The Magnificent (perhaps with overtones of Proud or Arrogant) |
Diodotos Tryphon, ruler of the Seleukid empire 140-138 BCE. Kleopatra V Tryphaena, joint Hellenistic ruler of Egypt with Berenike IV Epiphaneia 58-57 BCE. |
Zabinas or Zebina | The Purchased Slave |
Alexander II Zabinas, ruler of the Seleukid empire 129-123 BCE. |
The content of this page was last updated on 23 October 2016. |
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