As strange as it
may seem, archaeologists have discovered several inscriptions praising
Pharaoh Arrhideus/Philip III and the
crocodile god of the Nile , Sobek.
Since Alexander the Great had not made any
arrangements for his succession, the Macedonian army elected his half-brother
to be their new king. As we know, the succession of Alexander led to many years of lengthy bickering and fights among
his generals, the Diadochi, turning into hopeless wars that lasted for nearly
forty years.
Arrhideus/Philip III was
only king in name since he was retarded and hence unfit to rule Alexander’s huge empire. Not much
literature or artwork is known, and traces of his “rule” are scant.
Strangely
enough, a relief showing the face of Pharaoh Arrhideus/Philip III has been
discovered at the unusual double temple
of Kom Ombo 55 cm slab .
Although the
temple is resting on a much older structure, the remains we know today, with its
twin entrances and symmetrical layout was, probably started by Ptolemy VI. The Ptolemys remained
present over the centuries as we also find a fine relief of Ptolemy XII, the father of the famous Cleopatra VII.
Another trace of Arrhideus/Philip III is found in the Temple
of Amun at Karnak. Besides a peristyle court of Thutmosis III, it contains a barque sanctuary filled with his granite naos. This could be the picture Olaf Kaper showed during his lecture in 2010 (see: Alexander the Great in Egypt. Lecture of
24 November 2010).
The island
of Samothrace
[Top picture: Philip III as pharaoh in Karnak is from Wikipedia]
[Bottom picture: Sanctuary of Philip III from Egypt Museum]
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