In 149 BC Nicomedes II ascended the throne of Bithynia after overthrowing and killing his father Prusias II with the support of Attalus II of Pergamum. Leaving aside the reconstruction of events, this paper examines the literary sources for this episode. While Appian handed down the most detailed account, several other narratives survive in fragments or summaries. This investigation aims to untangle three main traditions that circulated and the contexts in which they originated. The first, preserved by Polybius and the authors relying on him (including Appian), is particularly hostile to Prusias; it is argued that this is the version Nicomedes circulated once he became king. A second tradition that is only attested by Strabo emphasizes the role of Attalus II in the assassination of Prusias, and for this reason it is assumed to be a product of the Attalid court. The third tradition, attested only in Trogus/Justin, recounts that Prusias survived the military coup and was murdered later while begging.

Cronaca di un colpo di stato. Analisi storiografica delle testimonianze sul complotto ai danni di Prusia II di Bitinia

Eloisa Paganoni
2022-01-01

Abstract

In 149 BC Nicomedes II ascended the throne of Bithynia after overthrowing and killing his father Prusias II with the support of Attalus II of Pergamum. Leaving aside the reconstruction of events, this paper examines the literary sources for this episode. While Appian handed down the most detailed account, several other narratives survive in fragments or summaries. This investigation aims to untangle three main traditions that circulated and the contexts in which they originated. The first, preserved by Polybius and the authors relying on him (including Appian), is particularly hostile to Prusias; it is argued that this is the version Nicomedes circulated once he became king. A second tradition that is only attested by Strabo emphasizes the role of Attalus II in the assassination of Prusias, and for this reason it is assumed to be a product of the Attalid court. The third tradition, attested only in Trogus/Justin, recounts that Prusias survived the military coup and was murdered later while begging.
2022
96
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10278/3749286
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