Philetaerus founded the Attalid dynasty not through conquest but through a calculated defection — originally treasurer of Lysimachus, one of Alexander's successors, he switched allegiance to Seleucus I around 282 BC and retained control of the Pergamon citadel along with its legendary treasury of 9,000 talents. These bronzes were struck during his reign as a semi-independent dynast, technically subordinate to Seleucid authority but in practice governing autonomously. He died without legitimate heirs, passing power to his nephew Eumenes I.
Philetaerus founded the Attalid dynasty not through conquest but through a calculated defection — originally treasurer of Lysimachus, one of Alexander's successors, he switched allegiance to Seleucus I around 282 BC and retained control of the Pergamon citadel along with its legendary treasury of 9,000 talents. These bronzes were struck during his reign as a semi-independent dynast, technically subordinate to Seleucid authority but in practice governing autonomously. He died without legitimate heirs, passing power to his nephew Eumenes I.