Eumenes II

Konge af Pergamum 197-159 f.Kr. Anfører for det romerske kavaleri under slaget ved Magnesia.

• Magnesia, 190 f.Kr.

Eumenes II, konge af Pergamos fra 197-159 f.Kr., ven og forbundsfælle af romerne, som han hjalp i krigen mod Antiochos af Syrien 190; til løn fik han det meste af Lilleasien; senere kølnedes hans forhold tilromerne; han beskyttede kunst og videnskab (under ham grundlagdes biblioteket og afsluttedes alteret i Pergamos). (HK3/1921)

King of Pergamum from 197 until his death. A brilliant statesman, he brought his small kingdom to the peak of its power and did more than any other Attalid monarch to make Pergamum a great centre of Greek culture in the East. He managed to expand the wealth and prestige of his state by maintaining an allegiance with Rome for much of his reign. A vigorous ruler and an adept politician, Eumenes II helped make Pergamum an important cultural center, which included a library that was second only to that of Alexandria.

Eumenes was the eldest son and successor of Attalus I Soter (ruled 241-197), and he continued his father's policy of cooperation with Rome. His military skill contributed substantially to the victory of Roman and Pergamene forces over the Seleucid king Antiochus III in the battle of Magnesia, in Lydia (autumn of 190). As his reward Eumenes was given control over the Thracian Chersonese (modern Gallipoli peninsula in European Turkey) and over most of the former Seleucid possessions in Asia Minor as far as Taurus. Despite this enlargement of his domain, Eumenes realized that his power rested on Roman might. He therefore cultivated friendship with the Romans, securing their intervention in his struggles against the kings of Bithynia and Pontus, in northern Anatolia.

In 172 Eumenes visited Rome to denounce Perseus, the king of Macedonia, for allegedly plotting aggressions in the East. He then joined the Romans in their struggle against Perseus (Third Macedonian War, 171-168), but when the war dragged on it was rumoured that Eumenes was negotiating secretly with the enemy. Whatever the truth of the report, the mere suspicion of disloyalty was enough to put Eumenes permanently in the shadow of Rome's displeasure. Only his death prevented a war between Pergamum and Rome.

Eumenes was responsible for the construction of nearly all the main public buildings--together with their splendid sculptures--on the acropolis at Pergamum. He is also credited with the invention of parchment.

Eumenes was responsible for the construction of nearly all the main public buildings--together with their splendid sculptures--on the acropolis at Pergamum. He is also credited with the invention of parchment.

The altar of Zeus at Pergamum was famous for its elaborate frieze, which is now located in Berlin. On a coin of Septimus Severus, the altar at Pergamum is depicted, covered by a baldachin, or canopy, supported by four columns. In Revelation 2:12-13, the city of Pergamum - rather than a subterranean region - is identified as the location of Satan's throne.