Philotera (Greek: Φιλωτέρα, born 315/309 BC-probably after 282 BC and before 268 BC)[1] was a Greek Macedonian noblewoman and a Greek Egyptian princess of the Ptolemaic dynasty.
Philotera was the daughter of Ptolemy I Soter and Berenice I of Egypt.[2] She had one older sister, Arsinoe II, and a younger brother, the future Pharaoh Ptolemy II Philadelphus.[3] From her parents' previous marriages, Philotera had various half-maternal and half-paternal siblings.
Little is known of her life. Philotera died sometime after the accession of Ptolemy II to the Ptolemaic throne and before Arsinoe II died.[4] The fact that Philotera died before her sister did is demonstrated by a hymn written by Callimachus on the death of Arsinoe II.[5]
After Philotera died, Ptolemy II deified her as a goddess. Ptolemy II erected a temple in her honor in Alexandria. Greeks and Egyptians worshipped her along with Arsinoe II, and Ptolemy II created a religious cult in her honour.[6][7]
Philotera was the ancient name of SafagainEgypt. It was founded by Satyrus (Ancient Greek: Σάτυρος) and named in honor of the deceased sister of Ptolemy II Philadelphus.[8][9][10]