Alexander II of Epirus
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| Alexander II | ||
|---|---|---|
| King of Epirus | ||
| Reign | 272 BC - ? | |
| Died | 242 BC | |
| Predecessor | Pyrrhus of Epirus | |
| Successor | ? | |
| Father | Pyrrhus of Epirus | |
Alexander II, king of Epirus, succeeded his father Pyrrhus in 272 BC.
[edit] Reign
Alexander attacked Antigonus Gonatas and conquered the greater part of Macedonia, but was in turn driven out of both Epirus and Macedonia by Demetrius, the son of Antigonus. He subsequently recovered his kingdom by the aid of the Acarnanians and Aetolians. He died about 242 BC[citation needed].
[edit] Relations with India
Alexander is apparently mentionned in the Edicts of Ashoka, as one of the recipients of the Indian Emperor Ashoka's Buddhist prozelitism, although no Western historical record of this event remain:
- "The conquest by Dharma has been won here, on the borders, and even six hundred yojanas (5,400-9,600 km) away, where the Greek king Antiochos rules, beyond there where the four kings named Ptolemy, Antigonos, Magas and Alexander rule, likewise in the south among the Cholas, the Pandyas, and as far as Tamraparni (Sri Lanka)." (Edicts of Ashoka, 13th Rock Edict, S. Dhammika).
Ashoka also claims that he encouraged the development of herbal medicine, for men and animals, in the territories of the Hellenistic kings:
- "Everywhere within Beloved-of-the-Gods, King Piyadasi's [Ashoka's] domain, and among the people beyond the borders, the Cholas, the Pandyas, the Satiyaputras, the Keralaputras, as far as Tamraparni and where the Greek king Antiochos rules, and among the kings who are neighbors of Antiochos, everywhere has Beloved-of-the-Gods, King Piyadasi, made provision for two types of medical treatment: medical treatment for humans and medical treatment for animals. Wherever medical herbs suitable for humans or animals are not available, I have had them imported and grown. Wherever medical roots or fruits are not available I have had them imported and grown. Along roads I have had wells dug and trees planted for the benefit of humans and animals." 2nd Rock Edict
[edit] References
- Connop Thirlwall, History of Greece, vol. viii
- Johann Gustav Droysen, Hellenismus
- Benediktus Niese, Geschichte der griechischen und makedonischen Staaten
- Karl Julius Beloch, Griechische Geschichte vol. iii.
- This article incorporates text from the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition, a publication now in the public domain.
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