Hellenistic rulers: conceivable epithets

The custom of numbering rulers for distinction was not introduced yet in ancient times, so epithets were used to distinguish rulers with the same name, like Soter, Philadelphos, Epiphanes or Nikator. These also served to create a certain impression about the given rulers personality or exploits.
As we are altering history in our games I think it would only be appropriate for our rulers to receive epithets, too, ones that might not have been actually used, but are conceivable enough to assume they could have been.:book:

As some of you perhaps know am I writing a seleucid AAR now and then. Until now I have used historical epithets for my kings, because they were already born at the campaign's start, but this will change once non-historical kings get their turn. So, now I decided to open this threat as kind of a brainstorming about how a hellenistic ruler might call himself and I'm counting on our ancient greek experts to help with the correct translation :beam:

I've been thinking about things like "the enlightened" or "the benevolent", but I seem to be lacking imagination and inspiration at the moment, so I'd like to hear your ideas. :yes:
Please help to give all our hellenistic kings more personality and share your wisdom! :2thumbsup:

Soter, Nikator, an name based on one's homeland/hometown (eg. Persikos, Baktrios, Athenaios), Theos, Philometor, Philopator, Epiphanes, Eupator, many more...

What about colours? like Antiochus the red (in greek obviously, i know no greek other than what i have seen in eb)...could be awfuly sun burnt or a drunkard etc.
Short, tall, fat, strong, smart

Far sighted would be good for a meticulously planning FM.

Stolen from Wiki as I am not Hellenistic expert.

Antiochus IV Epiphanes
He assumed divine epithets, which no other Hellenistic king had done, such as Theos Epiphanes("God Manifest") and after his defeat of Egypt, Nikephoros("Bearer of Victory")[2]. But his often eccentric behavior, capricious actions and even insanity led some of his contemporaries to call him Epimanes ("The Mad One"), a word play off of his title Epiphanes.

He was the one invading Ptolomaic Egypt to be met on the way to Alexrandria by an old Roman and his cane...

Easier to be Roman, campaign somewhere and get/take that name, Scipio Africanus most famously.

Εξαιρετικά ο μακρύς

Thanks to all of you for your contributions, but, urm...
What does this mean?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by antisocialmunky

Εξαιρετικά ο μακρύς

---

Is that Greek or Russian?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Olaf Blackeyes

Is that Greek or Russian?

---

LOL Greek Btw, the script with which Russia is written with is Cyrillic.

I like Monophthalmos.

A bit off-topic but I had a really cool Arverni FM with the title oi Neamha. Neamha meaning the berserker. He also had a couple of interesting traits like loving to have blood baths...

I know he wasnt Greek, but once you get a Roman emperor called Caligula then surely its time to leave all these grandiose clever titles by the wayside.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lysimachos

Thanks to all of you for your contributions, but, urm...
What does this mean?

---

Something about being 'very long.'

Quote:

---

Something about being 'very long.'

---

Wow, I suppose that might be good for the gym-runner dude?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by antisocialmunky

Something about being 'very long.'

---

Actually, that means 'exceptionaly long'. More appropriate would be ΜΑΚΡΥΣ (long) or ΜΑΚΡΥΤΑΤΟΣ (longest), even though I don't think it was used for height.

'The Red' would be 'ΕΡΥΘΡΟΣ' and 'Enlightened' would be (I believe) 'ΠΕΦΩΤΙΣΜΕΝΟΣ'. I'll have to think about other ones:book:

Maion

This is a very intersting thread, especially for all AAR writers, so I would like to ask the greek-speakers for a few more:
"Freedom-giver" - would that be "Eleutheroforos"?
"Conqueror of India" - would that be "Indikoiketes"? (a la Demetrios Poliorketes :inquisitive:???)
"The Founder" - ???
"The Pater Patrie" - ???
"The Lackland" - ???
"The Protector" - ???
"The Liberator" - ???
"The Cruel" - ???
"The Conqueror" - ???
"The Warmonger" - ???
"The Cruel" - ???
"The Vanquisher of Parthians/Medes/Persians" - ???

Basicaly whatever comes to your mind, throw it out here! :whip::yes:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by V.T. Marvin

This is a very intersting thread, especially for all AAR writers, so I would like to ask the greek-speakers for a few more:
"Freedom-giver" - Eleutherodotes (ΕΛΕΥΘΕΡΟΔΟΤΗΣ)
"Conqueror of India" - Kataktetes Indias (ΚΑΤΑΚΤΗΤΗΣ ΙΝΔΙΑΣ)
"The Founder" - Propator or Protoktistes (ΠΡΟΠΑΤΩΡ, ΠΡΩΤΟΚΤΙΣΤΗΣ)
"The Pater Patrie" - Pater Patridos (ΠΑΤΗΡ ΠΑΤΡΙΔΟΣ)
"The Lackland" - Not sure about that one
"The Protector" - Proaspistes would be fine (ΠΡΟΑΣΠΙΣΤΗΣ)
"The Liberator" - Apeleutherotes (ΑΠΕΛΕΥΘΕΡΩΤΗΣ)
"The Cruel" - Baryphron (ΒΑΡΥΦΡΩΝ)
"The Conqueror" - Kataktetes (ΚΑΤΑΚΤΗΤΗΣ)
"The Warmonger" - Not sure here, but 'Polemochares' (ΠΟΛΕΜΟΧΑΡΗΣ) (war-loving) would be a good subtitute
"The Vanquisher of Parthians/Medes/Persians" - Nikesas Parthon/Medon/Person (ΝΙΚΗΣΑΣ ΠΑΡΘΩΝ/ΜΗΔΩΝ/ΠΕΡΣΩΝ)

---

Here, see the bold parts. Oh and good luck with your AAR again mate:thumbsup:

Maion

I think he meant "pater patriae", "father of the fatherland/homeland".

Edited that one, thanks machinor:thumbsup:

Maion

Well I seem to have a few ideas:

Maybe...
"The butcher"
"The horseman"
"The Elder, The younger" (not to original but it could fitt)
"The warrior" - maybe ideal for Spartans:laugh4:
"The poet"
"The philosopher"
"The builder"
"The slayer of barbarians" (maybe:sweatdrop:)

Not all are truly positive but there have to be names for other Hellenistic rulers or not so great Kings..

You're welcome.
Regarding "freedom-giver"... couldn't that also be called Apeleuther...something? Since the Apeleutheroi are "those who are freed" and the "freedom-giver" would be "the one who sets free" or something.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by HunGeneral

Well I seem to have a few ideas:

Maybe...
"The butcher" - Sphageus (ΣΦΑΓΕΥΣ)
"The horseman" - Ippeus (ΙΠΠΕΥΣ)
"The Elder, The younger" (not to original but it could fitt) - Ho Geraioteros, Ho Neoteros (Ο ΓΗΡΑΙΟΤΕΡΟΣ, Ο ΝΕΟΤΕΡΟΣ)
"The warrior" - maybe ideal for Spartans:laugh4: - Polemistes (ΠΟΛΕΜΙΣΤΗΣ)
"The poet" - Poietes (ΠΟΙΗΤΗΣ)
"The philosopher" - Philosophos (ΦΙΛΟΣΟΦΟΣ)
"The builder" - Dometor or Ktistes (ΔΟΜΗΤΩΡ, ΚΤΙΣΤΗΣ)
"The slayer of barbarians" (maybe:sweatdrop:) - Barbaroktonos (ΒΑΡΒΑΡΟΚΤΟΝΟΣ)

Not all are truly positive but there have to be names for other Hellenistic rulers or not so great Kings..

---

Here.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by machinor

You're welcome.
Regarding "freedom-giver"... couldn't that also be called Apeleuther...something? Since the Apeleutheroi are "those who are freed" and the "freedom-giver" would be "the one who sets free" or something.

---

Not that I know of. Apeleutherotes could only be used, which, as I mentioned, means 'Liberator'.

Maion

Oh. I comlpetely overlooked "Liberator". :sweatdrop:

I see this is developing nicely, this is exactly what I had in mind when opening the thread. Thanks for all ideas and especially for the translations! Keep 'em coming! ~:thumb:

Nice thread! I just broke my empire for a civil war. Can you tell me the names for the two rivalling factions?

Makedonian Nobles = Eugeneis Makedonikoi ?

Makedonian Royalists = ??? Makedonikoi ?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Centurio Nixalsverdrus

Nice thread! I just broke my empire for a civil war. Can you tell me the names for the two rivalling factions?

Makedonian Nobles = Eugeneis Makedones

Makedonian Royalists = Makedones Basilophrones

---

Cool Centurio! See bold parts for the translations.

Maion

Thx Maion. :2thumbsup:

Thank you, Maion! You really deserve a balloon for this, so here you are :balloon2: :bow:

Thanks dude!:birthday2:

Maion

Founder of a dynasty typically seems to have been "Ktistes". Maion has actually chosen "the builder" (idru- refers to buildings) which is useful for founder of a city.. I'm missing Euergetes, though.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Tellos Athenaios

(idru- refers to buildings) I'm missing Euergetes, though.

---

Not always and Euergetes should be here as well:tongue:

Maion

I thought on one more possibility: if one of the diadochi kingdoms shloud unite ALL of what Alexadner has conquered the ruler who complited it could be called "the Strongest" ins reference to Alexanders last words. (Would something like that sound accepteable?)