Queen Artemisia II of Caria was the sister and wife of King Mausolus. After his death, she was Queen regnant of Caria for two years. Queen Artemisia II of Caria was also a brilliant navy admiral and a skilled botanist.[1] Yet, her most renowned accomplishment was that she commissioned King Mausolus’s tomb.[2] It became one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.[3]
The birthdate of Queen Artemisia II of Caria is unknown.[4] Queen Artemisia II of Caria was named after Queen Artemisia I of Halicarnassus.[5] She was the daughter of Prince Hecatomnus of Caria, the founder of the Hecatomnid Dynasty that ruled in the fourth century B.C.E.[6] She had three brothers named Prince Mausolus, Prince Idrieus, and Prince Pixodarus.[7] She also had a sister named Princess Ada.[8]
Princess Artemisia II married her brother, King Mausolus of Caria (r. 377-353 B.C.E.).[9] She became queen and co-ruler of Caria (which was a small section of the Persian Empire that was on the coastline of the Aegean Sea in the southwest region of Turkey).[10] Their capital city was Halicarnassus.[11] King Mausolus and Queen Artemisia II of Caria extended their empire and conquered many Greek towns.[12] They even conquered the Greek island of Rhodes.[13] Even though they were Persian, they still admired the Greek culture and incorporated it into their empire.[14]
In 353 B.C.E, King Mausolus died. Shortly after his death, the Rhodians revolted against Queen Artemisia II of Caria.[15] They sent a fleet of ships to attack Halicarnassus.[16] However, Queen Artemisia II of Caria learned of the attack.[17] She commanded her navy to sail to a secret location near Halicarnassus.[18] At the right time, the navy attacked and suppressed the rebellion.[19] This allowed Queen Artemisia II to become the sole ruler of Caria.[20]
Queen Artemisia II of Caria reigned for two years.[21] During her reign, she commissioned Greek artists to build a tomb for her husband, King Mausolus.[22] King Mausolus’s tomb would become one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.[23] Queen Artemisia II of Caria was also a skilled botanist.[24] The plant genus Artemisia is named after her.[25] She died in 351 B.C.E.[26] Historians believe that she is buried beside her husband in King Mausolus’s tomb.[27]
There are very few known facts about Queen Artemisia II of Caria. However, it is clear that she was a successful ruler.[28] Her rule remained unchallenged until her death.[29] Alongside her husband, she helped expand her empire.[30] Due to the construction of King Mausolus’s tomb, Queen Artemisia II of Caria will never be forgotten.[31]
Sources:
“Artemisia II”. (2011). In L. Rodger & J. Bakewell, Chambers Biographical Dictionary (9th ed.). Chambers Harrap. Retrieved on June 2, 2024 from https://search.credoreference.com/articles/Qm9va0FydGljbGU6MTIwNjMyMQ==?aid=18566.
Lendering, J. (29 April, 2019). “Artemisia”. Livius.org. Retrieved on June 2, 2024 from https://www.livius.org/articles/person/artemisia/.
Nichols, J.A. (2022). “Artemisia II”. Salem Press Encyclopedia.
[1] Lendering, 29 April 2019; “Artemisia II”, 2011
[2] “Artemisia II”, 2011
[3] “Artemisia II”, 2011
[4] Nichols, 2022
[5] “Artemisia II”, 2011; Nichols, 2022
[6] Lendering, 29 April 2019
[7] Lendering, 29 April 2019
[8] Lendering, 29 April 2019
[9] Nichols, 2022
[10] Nichols, 2022
[11] Nichols, 2022
[12] Nichols, 2022
[13] Nichols, 2022
[14] Nichols, 2022
[15] Nichols, 2022
[16] Nichols, 2022
[17] Nichols, 2022
[18] Nichols, 2022
[19] Nichols, 2022
[20] Lendering, 29 April 2019
[21] Lendering, 29 April 2019
[22] Lendering, 29 April 2019
[23] Lendering, 29 April 2019
[24] “Artemisia II”, 2011
[25] “Artemisia II”, 2011
[26] Lendering, 29 April 2019
[27] Lendering, 29 April 2019
[28] Lendering, 29 April 2019
[29] Lendering, 29 April 2019
[30] Nichols
[31] Lendering, 29 April 2019
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