February 2005   Cleopatra- Eurydike An interesting argument Of which I have never heard. As I understand what you say, the reference to Philip’s seventh wife as Eurydike rather than Cleopatra occurs only in Arrian and is a mistranslation. The passage in Arrian, book 3 is unambiguous, “ At that period Alexander incurred Philip’s suspicion when the king married Eurydike in open contempt of Alexander’s mother Olympias.” This could not simply be a mistranslation of the name Cleopatra. No one could read Cleopatra in Greek and translate it as Eurydike. Do you mean it is a deliberate name change made in transcription? If so, why? Eurydike is a royal Macedonian name. It is, in fact, the name of Philip’s mother. It was quite common for someone to take a new name along with a new royal station. Olympias was born Myrtale. She only assumed the name Olympias upon her marriage to Philip. There are many instances of this throughout ancient history. I see the problems which arises here and have investigated how various scholars have dealt with it. Robin Lane Fox uses the name Eurydike exclusively. Plutarch does not mention the name, Eurydike. Paul Cartledge uses Cleopatra but mentions Eurydike. Ulrich Wilken does not mention the name Eurydike. Peter Green uses Cleopatra-Eurydike. Not mentioned at all in Quitus Curtius Rufus as the reference would have occurred in book one or two both of which are lost. Bosworth never uses the name Eurydike. It would appear that the argument to which you refer is unproved and for the time being, one, or both names may be used. It is possible that the name, Eurydike may be proven to be erroneous, but it has not, as yet, been.