LYSIMACHOS (305-281 BC)

KINGS OF THRACE

Lysimachus – A Successor of Alexander the Great

Lysimachus, one of Alexander the Great’s trusted generals, was a central figure during the turbulent period following Alexander’s death in 323 BCE. As one of the Diadochi, he fiercely competed to secure his position among the successors of the great leader. His political and military prowess enabled him to establish a kingdom encompassing Thrace, Macedonia, and parts of Asia Minor.

Early Career

Lysimachus was born around 360 BCE to a Thessalian family in Pella, Macedonia. He served as one of Alexander the Great’s bodyguards (somatophylakes), earning respect for his bravery and loyalty. Arrian, in his Anabasis of Alexander, mentions Lysimachus as one of those granted the rare privilege of close association with Alexander.

According to Pausanias and the historian Justin, there is an account where Alexander punished Lysimachus by throwing him to a lion. As Justin recounts, this happened because Lysimachus smuggled poison to someone Alexander had condemned to die slowly. Both Justin and Pausanias note that Lysimachus killed the lion with his bare hands, an act that elevated him in Alexander’s favor.

During Alexander’s Persian campaign, Lysimachus acted as a personal bodyguard in 328 BCE. In 324 BCE, at Susa, he was awarded a ceremonial crown in recognition of his actions during the Indian campaigns.

Rise to Power

After Alexander’s death, Lysimachus was appointed satrap of Thrace, a region known for its warlike tribes and strategic importance. His governance demanded constant military vigilance, and for years he worked to consolidate power in the region. Lysimachus declared himself king of Thrace in 306 BCE, following the example of other Diadochi who assumed royal titles to legitimize their rule.

Initially avoiding involvement in the wars of the Diadochi, Lysimachus eventually joined forces with Cassander, Ptolemy I, and Seleucus I against Antigonus the One-Eyed, whose ambitions to reunite Alexander’s empire threatened the balance of power.

A decisive moment came at the Battle of Ipsus in 301 BCE, where Lysimachus and his allies defeated Antigonus. As a result, Lysimachus gained significant territories in Asia Minor, but his ambitions extended further. In 285 BCE, he defeated Demetrius I Poliorcetes, seizing control of Macedonia. This victory marked the height of Lysimachus’s power, establishing him as ruler over a substantial portion of Alexander’s fragmented empire.

Reign and Death

As king of Thrace, Macedonia, and parts of Asia Minor, Lysimachus governed a diverse and challenging realm. His reign was marked by internal conflicts and external threats, including uprisings and rivalries with other Diadochi.

The execution of his son Agathocles, influenced by court intrigues and his wife Arsinoe, weakened his authority and divided his supporters. Seleucus I exploited this turmoil to challenge Lysimachus.

In 281 BCE, Lysimachus faced Seleucus in the Battle of Corupedium in Lydia. Lysimachus’s defeat ended both his reign and his life, with his kingdom falling under Seleucus’s control.

Lampsakos

Lampsakos, located on the eastern shore of the Hellespont, was a city of great strategic and economic importance. Its position allowed Lysimachus to control trade routes between Europe and Asia, making Lampsakos a valuable asset to his kingdom.

Renowned for its production of fine wine, the city was also a significant center for the worship of Priapus, attracting pilgrims and merchants from across the ancient world. Lampsakos’s prosperity and cultural prominence made it a key administrative hub during Lysimachus’s reign.

The city also housed one of the most important mints in his kingdom, producing high-quality coins that reflected his power and influence.

Lysimachus’s Tetradrachms Featuring Alexander

Lysimachus issued silver tetradrachms featuring the image of Alexander the Great on the obverse. Alexander was depicted with the horns of Ammon, symbolizing his divine status as the son of Zeus-Ammon. The reverse showcased Athena Nikephoros (Athena Bearing Victory) along with the inscription ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΛΥΣΙΜΑΧΟΥ (Basileos Lysimachou – “King Lysimachus”).

These coins served as powerful propaganda tools, linking Lysimachus to Alexander’s legacy and portraying him as a ruler favored by the gods.

Denomination: Tetradrachm, Ag

Obverse: Diademed head of Alexander the Great to right with horn of Ammon over his ear

Reverse:  Athena seated left, holding Nike, crowning the king's name, in her right hand and leaning with her left arm on shield decorated with lion's head; in inner left field, monogram; in exergue, crescent, ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΛΥΣΙΜΑΧΟY

Mint: Lampsakos, 297/6-282/1 B.C.

Weight: 16,80 g

Diameter: 33mm

Provenance: Leu Numuismatik, ex North American collection, acquired before 2021

Referenz : 05.1 Meydancikkale 2612-3. Müller 399. Thompson 49

Sammlung : ALEXANDER THE GREAT and HIS SUCCESSORS