Evagoras or Euagoras (Ancient Greek: Εὐαγόρας) was the king of Salamis (411–374 BC) in Cyprus, known especially from the work of Isocrates, who presents him as a model ruler.
Historyedit
He claimed descent from Teucer, the son of Telamon and half-brother of Ajax, and his family had long been rulers of Salamis, although during his childhood, Salamis came under Phoenician control, which resulted in his exile. While in Cilicia, Evagoras gathered the support of 50 followers and returned secretly in 410 BC, to gain possession of the throne. Expecting an eventual Persian response to recapture Cyprus, he cultivated the friendship of the Athenians, and after Conon's defeat at the Battle of Aegospotami he provided him with a refuge. For a time, he also maintained friendly relations with the Achaemenid Empire, and secured the aid of Artaxerxes II for Athens against Lacedaemon. He took part in the Battle of Cnidus of 394 BC which he provided most of the resources for and in which the Lacedaemonian fleet was defeated thanks to his efforts, and for this service his statue was placed by the Athenians side by side with that of Conon in the Ceramicus. However, relations between Evagoras and the Persians became strained. From 391 BC, they were virtually at war. Aided by the Athenians and the Egyptian king Hakor (Achoris), Evagoras extended his rule over the greater part of Cyprus, crossed over to Asia Minor, took several cities in Phoenicia (including Tyre), and persuaded the Cilicians to revolt.[1]
One result of the Peace of Antalcidas (387 BC), to which Evagoras refused to agree, was that the Athenians withdrew their support, since by its terms they recognized the lordship of Persia over Cyprus. The following years Evagoras carried on hostilities single-handed, except for occasional aid from Egypt, which was likewise threatened by the Persians.[1] While Evagoras was in Egypt asking for help, his younger son Pnytagoras was in charge of Salamis.[2] The Persian generals Tiribazus and Orontes at last invaded Cyprus in 385 BC, with an army far larger than what Evagoras could command.[citation needed] However, Evagoras managed to cut off this force from being resupplied, and the starving troops rebelled. The war then turned in the Persian favor when Evagoras' fleet was destroyed at the Battle of Citium, and he was compelled to flee to Salamis. Here, although closely blockaded, Evagoras managed to hold his ground, and took advantage of a quarrel between the two Persian generals to conclude peace (376 BC). Evagoras was allowed to remain nominally king of Salamis, but in reality a vassal of Persia, to which he was to pay a yearly tribute. The chronology of the last part of his reign is uncertain. In 374 BC, he was assassinated by a eunuch from motives of private revenge. He was succeeded by his son, Nicocles.[1]
According to Isocrates's Panegyricus, Evagoras was a model ruler, whose aim was to promote the welfare of his state and of his subjects by the cultivation of Greek refinement and civilization.[1] Isocrates also states that many people migrated from Greece to Cyprus because of the noble rule of Evagoras. Other sources of this period—Diodorus Siculus 14.115, 15.2-9; Xenophon, Hellenica 4.8—are not as unrestrainedly complimentary. Lysias in his Against Andocides 6.28 addresses him as the king of Cyprus.
Although Cypriots were Greeks and their language a dialect of Greek, the Arcadocypriot, they used to write in an older and more difficult system, called the Cypriot syllabary. Evagoras has been called a pioneer of the adoption of the Greek alphabet in Cyprus in place of the older Cypriot syllabary.
Referencesedit
^ abcdOne or more of the preceding sentences incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Evagoras". Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 9 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 959.
evagoras, evagoras, euagoras, ancient, greek, Εὐαγόρας, king, salamis, cyprus, known, especially, from, work, isocrates, presents, model, ruler, history, edithe, claimed, descent, from, teucer, telamon, half, brother, ajax, family, long, been, rulers, salamis,. Evagoras or Euagoras Ancient Greek Eὐagoras was the king of Salamis 411 374 BC in Cyprus known especially from the work of Isocrates who presents him as a model ruler History editHe claimed descent from Teucer the son of Telamon and half brother of Ajax and his family had long been rulers of Salamis although during his childhood Salamis came under Phoenician control which resulted in his exile While in Cilicia Evagoras gathered the support of 50 followers and returned secretly in 410 BC to gain possession of the throne Expecting an eventual Persian response to recapture Cyprus he cultivated the friendship of the Athenians and after Conon s defeat at the Battle of Aegospotami he provided him with a refuge For a time he also maintained friendly relations with the Achaemenid Empire and secured the aid of Artaxerxes II for Athens against Lacedaemon He took part in the Battle of Cnidus of 394 BC which he provided most of the resources for and in which the Lacedaemonian fleet was defeated thanks to his efforts and for this service his statue was placed by the Athenians side by side with that of Conon in the Ceramicus However relations between Evagoras and the Persians became strained From 391 BC they were virtually at war Aided by the Athenians and the Egyptian king Hakor Achoris Evagoras extended his rule over the greater part of Cyprus crossed over to Asia Minor took several cities in Phoenicia including Tyre and persuaded the Cilicians to revolt 1 nbsp 1 10th stater 411 374 BC 0 71 g SNG Copenhagen 733597 One result of the Peace of Antalcidas 387 BC to which Evagoras refused to agree was that the Athenians withdrew their support since by its terms they recognized the lordship of Persia over Cyprus The following years Evagoras carried on hostilities single handed except for occasional aid from Egypt which was likewise threatened by the Persians 1 While Evagoras was in Egypt asking for help his younger son Pnytagoras was in charge of Salamis 2 The Persian generals Tiribazus and Orontes at last invaded Cyprus in 385 BC with an army far larger than what Evagoras could command citation needed However Evagoras managed to cut off this force from being resupplied and the starving troops rebelled The war then turned in the Persian favor when Evagoras fleet was destroyed at the Battle of Citium and he was compelled to flee to Salamis Here although closely blockaded Evagoras managed to hold his ground and took advantage of a quarrel between the two Persian generals to conclude peace 376 BC Evagoras was allowed to remain nominally king of Salamis but in reality a vassal of Persia to which he was to pay a yearly tribute The chronology of the last part of his reign is uncertain In 374 BC he was assassinated by a eunuch from motives of private revenge He was succeeded by his son Nicocles 1 According to Isocrates s Panegyricus Evagoras was a model ruler whose aim was to promote the welfare of his state and of his subjects by the cultivation of Greek refinement and civilization 1 Isocrates also states that many people migrated from Greece to Cyprus because of the noble rule of Evagoras Other sources of this period Diodorus Siculus 14 115 15 2 9 Xenophon Hellenica 4 8 are not as unrestrainedly complimentary Lysias in his Against Andocides 6 28 addresses him as the king of Cyprus Although Cypriots were Greeks and their language a dialect of Greek the Arcadocypriot they used to write in an older and more difficult system called the Cypriot syllabary Evagoras has been called a pioneer of the adoption of the Greek alphabet in Cyprus in place of the older Cypriot syllabary References edit a b c d nbsp One or more of the preceding sentences incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain Chisholm Hugh ed 1911 Evagoras Encyclopaedia Britannica Vol 9 11th ed Cambridge University Press p 959 Edward S Forster Isocrates Cyprian Orations section 62 www perseus tufts edu Retrieved 2018 03 02 External links editA coin of Evagoras on a stamp of Republic of Cyprus Preceded byAbdemon King of Salamis411 374 BC Succeeded byNicocles Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Evagoras I amp oldid 1210794052, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
