Philotera

Philotera (Greek: Φιλωτέρα, born 315/309 BC-probably after 282 BC and before 268 BC)^[1] was a Greek Macedonian noblewoman and a Greek Egyptian princess of the Ptolemaic dynasty.

Philotera was the daughter of Ptolemy I Soter and Berenice I of Egypt.^[2] She had one older sister, Arsinoe II, and a younger brother, the future Pharaoh Ptolemy II Philadelphus.^[3] From her parents' previous marriages, Philotera had various half-maternal and half-paternal siblings.

Little is known of her life. Philotera died sometime after the accession of Ptolemy II to the Ptolemaic throne and before Arsinoe II died.^[4] The fact that Philotera died before her sister did is demonstrated by a hymn written by Callimachus on the death of Arsinoe II.^[5]

After Philotera died, Ptolemy II deified her as a goddess. Ptolemy II erected a temple in her honor in Alexandria. Greeks and Egyptians worshipped her along with Arsinoe II, and Ptolemy II created a religious cult in her honour.^[6][7]

Philotera was the ancient name of Safaga in Egypt. It was founded by Satyrus (Ancient Greek: Σάτυρος) and named in honor of the deceased sister of Ptolemy II Philadelphus.^[8][9][10]

• Ptolemaic Genealogy: Arsinoe II Archived 2011-11-26 at the Wayback Machine
• Ptolemaic Genealogy: Berenice I Archived 2011-10-05 at the Wayback Machine
• Ptolemaic Genealogy: Philotera Archived 2016-04-05 at the Wayback Machine
• The Maritime Incense Route Nabataea: Philotera Archived 2012-10-06 at the Wayback Machine