Shifting alliances; A survival strategy in ancient Knidos

 by Mary Harrsch © 2025 

Despite its metallic appearance, this double-nozzled lamp produced in Knidos in the 2nd century BCE that I photographed at the British Museum is a clay wheelmade piece with molded and applied, beautifully detailed, head of Papasilenos wearing a wreath flanked by two heads, probably of Dionysos, wearing fillets. I wish the object had been displayed in a way that would have allowed me to photograph it from multiple angles.

Clay wheelmade double-nozzle oil lamp dated to the 2nd century BCE from Knidos on the southwest coast of Asia Minor. Photographed at the British Museum by Mary Harrsch.

Knidos, a Greek city in ancient Caria on the southwest coast of Asia Minor began the 2nd century BCE under the influence of the Ptolemies. I was surprised by this as due to its proximity to the Seleucid Empire I thought the Seleucids would have more influence there. I asked ChatGPT about this and it replied:

"You are correct that the Seleucids were geographically closer to Knidos than the Ptolemies, and they certainly vied for influence over cities in western Asia Minor during the Hellenistic period. However, Knidos' political and cultural alignment leaned more toward the Ptolemies due to the maritime nature of the Ptolemaic Empire and their focus on controlling key trade routes and coastal cities in the eastern Mediterranean.

Why Ptolemaic Influence Was Stronger:

Maritime Power: The Ptolemaic Kingdom was a dominant naval power, and Knidos, with its excellent harbors and location along vital sea routes, was a natural partner for Egypt's trading network. The Ptolemies prioritized control of cities that could serve as strategic naval bases or trade hubs, which made Knidos an important ally.

Economic Ties: The Ptolemies heavily relied on grain exports and other goods, making the Aegean trade network crucial to their economy. Knidos' position on the coast facilitated trade between Egypt and other parts of the Mediterranean.

Dorian Cultural Ties: Knidos, as a Dorian city, shared a cultural affinity with other Ptolemaic-influenced areas, particularly Rhodes, which was a key ally of Egypt. These cultural and political connections may have made Knidos more inclined to align with the Ptolemies rather than the Seleucids.

Seleucid Involvement:

The Seleucids, despite their proximity, were often preoccupied with controlling the central and eastern parts of their vast and diverse empire. Their influence over cities in western Asia Minor fluctuated, particularly after the Battle of Magnesia in 190 BCE, where Rome decisively defeated Antiochus III. This defeat significantly weakened Seleucid power in the region and curtailed their ambitions in coastal Asia Minor.

The Ptolemies [then] began relying heavily on Roman support to maintain their rule amid internal instability and external threats.

In 168 BCE, during the Sixth Syrian War, Rome intervened to prevent Antiochus IV of the Seleucid Empire from invading Egypt, reinforcing Egypt's reliance on Roman protection."

British archaeologist C. T. Newton conducted the first major excavations of the city from 1857-1858. He exposed the agora, the theatre, an odeum, a temple of Dionysus, a temple of the Muses, a temple of Aphrodite and a great number of minor buildings. Whether this lamp was unearthed there or simply found elsewhere is not mentioned on the ID card at the British Museum.

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