Battle of Cos

Battle of Cos
Part of the Syrian Wars
Date261 BC
LocationKos
Result Macedonian victory
Belligerents
Macedon Ptolemaic Egypt
Commanders and leaders
Antigonus II Gonatas Patroclus, admiral of Ptolemy II

The Battle of Cos was fought ca 258 BC between an Antigonid fleet and a Ptolemaic fleet. Antigonus II Gonatas led his forces to victory over Patroclus, admiral of Ptolemy II. It has been widely assumed that the battle severely damaged Ptolemaic control of the Aegean. After the battle, Antigonus dedicated his flagship to Apollo.[1]

The date of the battle is uncertain, although it must fall within the period 262-256 BC.[2] Hammond dates it as late as 255 BC.[3]

It is possible that this is the victory which the Nike or Winged Victory of Samothrace commemorates.[4][5]

References

  1. ↑ John Boardman, Frank William Walbank. The Cambridge ancient history, Volume 7, Part 1. The Cambridge Ancient History, John Boardman, ISBN 0-521-85073-8, ISBN 978-0-521-85073-5 Cambridge University Press, 1982. ISBN 052123445X. p.243
  2. ↑ Janice J. Gabbert, Antigonus II Gonatas. A Political Biography. London and New York: Routledge, 1997. ISBN 0-415-01899-4. p.52
  3. ↑ Nicholas Geoffrey Lemprière Hammond, Frank William Walbank. A History of Macedonia: 336-167 B.C. Volume 3 of A History of Macedonia, Nicholas Geoffrey Lemprière Hammond Oxford University Press, 1988. ISBN 0-19-814815-1. Appendix IV
  4. ↑ Burn, 2005. Hellenistic Art: From Alexander the Great to Augustus.
  5. ↑ James Henry Oliver. Demokratia, the gods, and the free world: Morals and law in ancient Greece. Ayer Publishing, 1979. ISBN 0-405-11564-4. p.149.