Full Name Neoptolemus I Died 357 BC Title King of Epirus Parents Alcetas I of Epirus | Religion Ancient Greek religion Grandparents Tharrhypas Name Neoptolemus of | |
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Relatives Arymbas (brother)
Alexander the Great (grandson) Role Alexander I of Epirus' father Children Olympias, Alexander I of Epirus Grandchildren Alexander the Great, Neoptolemus II of Epirus Similar People Olympias, Alexander I of Epirus, Cleopatra of Macedon, Philip III of Macedon, Amyntas III of Macedon | ||
Neoptolemus I of Epirus (Greek: Νεοπτόλεμος Α' Ηπείρου) (370–357 BC) was a Greek king of Epirus and son of Alcetas I, and father of Troas, Alexander I of Epirus and Queen Olympias. He was a maternal grandfather of Alexander the Great.
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He claimed he was a descendant of hero Achilles and King Lycomedes, while Emperor Caracalla claimed that he was a descendant of Neoptolemus I.
Olympias was originally known as Polyxena. It is possible that Neoptolemus gave her that name.
Etymology
His name means "new war".
This was also a name of the son of the warrior Achilles and the princess Deidamia in Greek mythology, and also the mythical progenitor of the ruling dynasty of the Molossians of ancient Epirus.
Reign
On the death of Alcetas, Neoptolemus and his brother Arybbas agreed to divide the kingdom, and continued to rule their respective portions without any interruption of the harmony between them, until the death of Neoptolemus, which, according to Johann Gustav Droysen, may be placed about 360 BC.
The first epigraphical evidence of the Molossian league goes back to 370 BC under Neoptolemus.