Abdalonymus

Abdalonymus ( Abd- elonim, ie "Servant of the Gods", in Diodorus Ballonymos ( Βαλλώνυμος ) called ) was a city king of Sidon (since 332 BC).

Life

Abdalonymus came from the ancient royal house of Sidon, but was so impoverished that he had to earn a living as a gardener. At the time of the campaign of Alexander the Great against the Persian king Darius III. reigned Straton ( Abdastart ) on Sidon. After Alexander had emerged from the battle of Issus ( November 333 BC) as the winner, he moved south to subdue the coastal cities of the Phoenicians. Several princes Phoenician cities, including Straton, surrendered without offering resistance. Nevertheless Straton was issued because this previously his overlord Darius III. had supported against Alexander and therefore could not win the confidence of the Macedonian conqueror.

Now Alexander's friend Hephaestion should choose a new king of Sidon. First he offered the crown at two rich brothers, in which he lived. However, this declined as according to their local customs only someone of royal blood could become the ruler. They proposed instead that Abdalonymus who just weeding, when he was picked up and royally dressed. First Abdalonymus believed that he would be ridiculed, but it led him to Alexander, who allegedly saw a certain aristocratic dignity to the poor gardener. However, the conqueror of the world wanted to know how Abdalonymus had endured his poverty. He replied that it had been lacking to him in spite of his meager life of nothing and that he would lead the government in the same spirit. Satisfied with this statement confirmed him as Alexander King of Sidon ( around January 332 BC) and also gave him the assets of its predecessor Straton. In addition Abdalonymus received some areas in the vicinity of the city to expand his empire.

This story is indeed one embellished with motifs of the Cynic school of philosophy anecdote, which is not mentioned at all by Alexander reliable biographer Arrian; but they should nevertheless be based on a core of truth. Abdalonymus ' survey was apparently welcomed by the simple urban population, but rejected by the affluent sections. According to Plutarch Abdalonymus was taken under Alexander Hetairoi. About his government is nothing more traditional than that he had sent Alexander perfume and balm as a gift.

Abdalonymus probably died around 312 BC on the throne by his son, whose name only the ending [ ... ] Timos followed is known. Probably the so-called Alexander Sarcophagus was commissioned by Abdalonymus.

The story of Abdalonymus ' survey was included in the opera: the Italian librettist Pietro Metastasio wrote at the request of Maria Theresa a on the related report of the Alexander historian Quintus Curtius Rufus BASED text book, its important musical setting of Mozart's opera Il re pastore (premiered April 23, 1775 in Salzburg) represents.

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