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Antigonus II Gonatas: The First Stoic King, Before Marcus Aurelius?
When you hear “philosopher-emperor,” you might immediately think of Marcus Aurelius, the Roman emperor known for his Stoic Meditations. However, more than 400 years earlier, Antigonus II Gonatas was the first Stoic king in history. Who was he? And why has his name been overshadowed by Marcus Aurelius?
Antigonus II Gonatas: His Story in 5 Key Points
Antigonus II Gonatas lived during the 3rd century BC, a period difficult to study due to lost or fragmented sources. Much of the king’s story remains unknown, but here are some key points:
1. Birth: An Ambitious Father, a Virtuous Mother
Antigonus II Gonatas was born around 319 BC and died in 239, at the age of 80.
His father was Demetrius I Poliorcetes, king of Asia from 306 to 301 BC, and king of Macedonia from 294 to 288 BC. Historical sources describe him as a seducer, a lover of wine, a great warrior, but also someone generous to his friends and magnanimous to his enemies, with ambitions that were sometimes excessive. He died at 53 from a disease caused by his excesses (notably in food).
His mother, Phila I, was described as a virtuous woman and political advisor to her father, Antipater. She…
