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Attalus III
(c. 170—133 bc)
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(c.170–133bc),
son of Eumenes II, last king of Pergamum (138–133), who bequeathed his kingdom to Rome. Called ‘Philometor’ (‘Mother-lover’) because of his close relationship to Stratonice, he was allegedly unpopular and had a reputation for being brutal and uninterested in public affairs, though given early experience by Attalus II, devoting himself rather to scientific study, especially botany and pharmacology. His will, modelled on that of Ptolemy VIII, may have been a dramatic attempt by the childless king to curb opposition, which however broke out with violence under Aristonicus after Attalus' premature natural death in 133.
R. M. Errington
