Thyrsos (freedman)

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Thyrsos was a in the 1st century BC. Living freedman of Octavian (Gaius Octavius), later Roman emperor Augustus .

Embassy to Cleopatra

After the triumvir Mark Antony and his mistress, the Egyptian queen ( pharaoh ) Cleopatra , 31 BC. BC were decisively defeated by their opponent Octavian through the war in Greece and the subsequent battle at Actium and then fled to Egypt, the now overpowering future Princeps moved in the spring of 30 BC. BC with his troops gradually against the Nile country. Cleopatra then sought diplomatic contacts with Octavian to find out whether there was anything that could be saved for her. The reports by Plutarch and Cassius Dio in particular have been preserved on this, but both of them are colored by the Octavian propaganda aimed at presenting Cleopatra and Antony as unfavorably as possible and must therefore be evaluated with appropriate caution.

When Octavian met himself in the spring of 30 BC. BC was already in Asia Minor and had received an embassy from Cleopatra, he in turn sent his trusted freedman Thyrsus with the returning Euphronios to secret negotiations with the queen in Alexandria , because, according to Plutarch , he was winning messages to a proud woman who was extremely conscious of her beauty have understood. According to Cassius Dio, Octavian feared that if Cleopatra hoped for no more concession on his part, she would commit suicide and destroy her treasures before he could bring these funds, which are very necessary for the payment of his soldiers, under his control. The ancient historian Christoph Schäfer considers this statement to be credible. However, Cassius Dios's further statements that Thyrsos, on behalf of his master Cleopatra, pretended that Octavian loved her, in order to prevent her from burning her treasures and to induce the murder of Antony, seem unbelievable. Furthermore, there are doubts that Queen Thyrsus' assurances regarding Octavian's alleged love for her were taken aback because she had already complied with Caesar and Antonius and was now of the opinion that she would also charm Octavian and thus keep her government over Egypt, even to be able to gain control over the whole Roman Empire .

Plutarch reports that Thyrsus spoke to Cleopatra longer and more often than others and enjoyed conspicuous honors. Antonius, who had become suspicious as a result, had Thyrsus whipped and then sent it back to Octavian with the remark that in return he could have Antonius' freedman Hipparchus whipped if he was annoyed by what had happened.

Nothing is known about the further fate of Thyrsus.

literature

Remarks

  1. ↑ Plutarch, Antonius 73, 2.
  2. ^ Cassius Dio, Römische Geschichte 51, 8, 5f.
  3. ↑ Christoph Schäfer, Cleopatra , p. 237.
  4. ^ Cassius Dio, Römische Geschichte 51, 8, 6f. and 51, 9, 5f.
  5. ↑ Plutarch, Antonius 73, 3f.
personal data
SURNAME Thyrsos
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Thyrsus
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Freed Octavians
DATE OF BIRTH 1st century BC Chr.
DATE OF DEATH 1st century BC BC or 1st century