I “Galati d’Egitto” nell’iconografia alessandrina: la stele funeraria di Bitos

Abstract

Starting from the stylistic-iconographic and epigraphic analysis conducted on the funerary stele of the
Galatian mercenary Bitos, a reflection is proposed on the conditions of the Galatians in Ptolemaic Egypt and the relationship
that they established with the rulers and the Greek-Macedonian ruling élite. The dynamics of this relationship
are investigated here for the first time on the basis of archaeological data without, however, neglecting historical sources.
The result is a study involving the political, social, cultural and economic spheres that highlights the significant role that
Galatian mercenaries played from the reign of Ptolemy II until after the demise of the Ptolemaic dynasty.

Keywords: Ptolemaic Egypt, Alexandria, Galatians, mercenaries, funerary stelae.