Arsinoe
The mother of Ptolemaios is the Macedonian Arsino. It
is for no doubt that Ptolemaios is one of the most reliable generals of
Alexander the Great. He was a general of Alexander the Great and he became the
king in one of the Diadoki counties established during the period (BC 305-285)
by getting the title of Pharaoh (BC 305/4) in the Ancient Egypt. Ptolemaios is
the founder of the Kingdom and the Ptolemaios dynasty. Arsinoe which is the
neigbour of Nagidos is transferred from the words written on an inscription
found in the ancient Nagidos city, in today’s Bozyazi. We thank the archaeolog
Mustafa Hamdi Sayar who translated the text on the inscription similar to a
poem: “Our city (Nagidos) Homonoia, they must also be invited and pay what is
necessary; when the ceremonies are organised. In response to this, the people
of Nagidos and Arsinoe – must be ready and pay taxes in the same amount when
they sacrficifice for the Egyptian King Ptolemaios II. and Egyptian Queen Arsinoe. From now on, the
people of Nagidos will not be allowed to create any conflicts due to lands
given to Arsinoes according to this article. But, if an Archon in Nagidos has an application
towards this agenda, or a speaker makes such an application; Archon must pay 10
000 drahmi and the person who applies should pay 1 000 drahmi and these money
must be given to Arsinoe temple and the application must be deemed void. ”
Arsinoe was an ancient city on the Cilicia shore, between Anamuryum and
Kelenderis. This place is in Turkey, in Mersin city, near modern Bozyazi city. Strabo
mentioned that Arsinoe city had a port. William
Martin Leake locates Arsinoe just west of Bozyazi, and beneath it, the
Softa Castle just as Strabon defined to be in the Arsinoe – where the
demolished remnants the castle are placed on the near or east side of the
port. This modern place is on the east
of Anamuryum and to the west of or near Kizil Burun (Kizliman Burnu). This city
was founded by Ptolemy Philadelphus and named after his sister and wife
Egyptian Arsinoe II.
I am the Queen Arsinoe, I am the woman of a city which
was established, in my name.
Around 30 years
ago, in Bozyazi, the texts in an inscription found in the ancient city Nagidos
proved me:
“Let the people
of Arsinoes, the spiritual brothers;
Be sacrificed for the Egyptian King Ptolemaios and
Egyptian Queen Arsinoe ”…