Meet Arsinoe III, one of ancient Egypt’s warrior women

CAIRO – 26 July 2022: Like other warrior women in ancient Egypt, Arsinoe III married her brother, the pharaoh Ptolemy IV, who wanted the throne so badly that he killed his mother and brother.

Ptolemy IV wanted power, not position, and was known as the boy of the Ptolemaic party, but his young wife Arsinoe III was a more serious person.

Arsinoe III served as queen from 223-203 BC, according to Discover magazine's website. She was famous for her leadership of forces in successful battles during the Fourth Syrian War. In 217 BC, Arsinoe III and her husband went with 55,000 soldiers to fight against the Hellenistic Seleucid kingdom.

When the battle was going unpredictably against the Egyptians, Arsinoe III supported the troops from the back lines of the battle until she became famous for inspiring the exhausted forces by telling them to fight for their wives and children. They were also offered gold for victory, and that reward had a stimulating effect.

It is believed that Arsinoe III led a unit of Egyptian forces that pushed their enemy back and reclaimed Syria and Phoenicia for themselves. She was such an effective leader that the rebels killed her when they came to target her husband in a palace coup.

In his conquests and wars, Ptolemy IV achieved many victories due to the wisdom of his wife, who also gave him a son, Ptolemy V.

Some references mention that Arsinoe III's relationship with her husband declined in the late years of his life.

Arsinoe III was murdered in 203 BC by Philemon, one of the king's allies, after he deliberately set the palace on fire.