Featured Antiochus III Megas Tetradrachm

Antiochus III was born in 241 BCE to Seleucus II and Laodice II in Susa. Antiochus III grew up in a troubled time; the Seleucid empire was losing much of it's periphery territory to rebellious satraps and rival warlords. Not much is know about Antiochus's early life except that he wasn't in line for the throne, with him being the youngest son of Seleucus II. All that would change with the death of Seleucus II in 246 BCE and Seleucus III's death in 223 BCE.

Both Seleucus III and Antiochus III had a minister named Hermeias who was universally hated and feared by most people, including the Kings themselves. Around 222 BCE in the province of Media two brothers named Molon and Alexander revolted against Antiochus III, based on fears of being executed by Hermeias. Molon and his brother managed to take control of all territory east of Mesopotamia by the time that Antiochus sent troops to crush their rebellion. Hermeias insisted to the young King that the rebels should be ignored and that the primary military focus should be on Ptolemaic Egypt. It is unknown why Hermeias wanted Antiochus to start a war with the Ptolemies: I've heard the argument that he wanted to weaken the King by associating his reign with disaster and thus permanently keep him under his control.

After numerous generals of Antiochus came down with a bad case of the "killed in battle with the rebels", Antiochus III decided that it was time to deal with the rebels personally. By this point in however, the rebels had managed to capture Seleucia on the Tigris, one of the main cities and and one of the two capitals of the empire. It is reported that Molon began minting coins of himself as King around this time. Both sides fielded large armies, but Antiochus had the advantage of having more experienced soldiers. The battle's out come was never in any doubt and almost immediately after it had began, half of Molon's army surrendered to Antiochus. Molon fled in despair at the sight of this surrender and subsequently killed himself. It was reported that Antiochus had him strung up from the highest point in Media as a warning to any other would be rebel. Alexander, Molon's brother, fled the field and killed Molon's children and wife before killing himself. As for the despised Hermeias; Antiochus had him quietly executed while they were on a horse ride out in the country side.

Antiochus III really does deserve the title Megas(Great) as he nearly single handily restored the empire to what it had been before the disastrous reign of his father. Later on in his life, he avenged his earlier defeat at Raphia and defeated the forces of Ptolemy V numerous times and brought the Ptolemies to their knees. It is unfortunate that his run in with the Roman Republic would prove so disastrous to his kingdom later on.


Anyhow, there is no way on earth I can write down or summarize Antiochus III's entire life with out writing a book so I'll cut it off here.


Antiochus III. 223-187 BC. AR Tetradrachm
16.97 Grams
Seleucia on the Tigris. First Reign, Before the Revolt of Melon, Ca. 223-221 BC. Diademed head of Antiochus III right / ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ on right, ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ on left, Nude Apollo seated left on omphalos, slight drapery on right thigh, holding arrow in right hand, left hand resting on bow, Control marks in outer left and right fields and in exergue.
Rare
I am in love with the youthful portrait of Antiochus III, which makes sense chronologically as he was 18 or 19 when this coin was struck.

Sources/Fun reading
http://turningpointsoftheancientworld.com/index.php/2018/08/11/road-raphia-part-1-molon-rebellion/
https://www.livius.org/articles/person/antiochus-iii-the-great/
https://d3smmun.artstation.com/projects/rDeQO


A restored Seleucid Empire on the eve of war with Rome.

A Wonderful painting of Antiochus III!

A bust of King Antiochus III in the Louvre.

 

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Magnus Maximus, That is a nice looking Tet with a very mellow looking portrait .

 

@Al Kowsky
Yeah it seems like he is almost smiling.

 

Excellent Megas!!! I have been looking for one of these. Very desirable portrait.
And excellent write up as well
Here’s one of my favorites of Megasman:


Antiochos III Megas
Seleukid Kingdom. Uncertain
(military) mint 60. 223-187
BC. Struck 202-187 BC
Bronze Æ 17mm., 4,60g.
Macedonian shield with
gorgoneion in central boss /
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑNΤΙΟΧΟΥ,
elephant walking right,
anchor above, monogram of
ΠΑ below. very fine SC
1089.3a; HGC 9, 490
7?

 

Very interesting. Thanks!

 

@Ryro
So this coin officially marks the end of the first phase of my Seleucid King Tetradrachm set. (312-200BCE) It really is amazing to think that Alexander the Great had been dead for roughly 100 years when Antiochus III took power. Still, this entire era has Alexander’s finger prints all over it.

 

very nice coin...i like those tets but i'm 'too tight 4 tets' so i get the bronzes(or smaller silvers) ......i have now bronze Soter and Theos coins...funny story..i got the Theos coin because i lost out on a Nero lyre coin...

 

Very nice tetradrachm! I like his portrait there a lot as well. The fun about Antiochos III is that so many mints were running, there are quite some variations in his portrait.

Two of my favourite big bronze coins from Antiochos III:


Antiochos III 'the Great' (223-187 BC) AE Denomination AA, Ekbatana mint.
Obverse: Diademed head of Antiochos III to right.
Reverse: ΒAΣΙΛΕΩΣ - ANTIOXOY Mare standing left, suckling foal; to left, monogram.
Reference: SC 1268
30 mm; 23.44 g


Antiochos III Megas (223 - 187 B.C.) Æ Denomination A. Uncertain military mint 73 associated with Ekbatana, circa 210 B.C.
Obverse: Diademed head of Antiochus III right.
Reverse: BAΣΙΛΕΩΣ ANTIOXΟΥ (“of King Antiochos”). Elephant advancing right; anchor to left, monogram between legs.
Reference: SC 1275c. HGC 9, 469.
16.28g; 25mm
From the E.E. Clain-Stefanelli collection.

 

Excellent collection

 

Very nice bronzes!
That portrait on the first one is full of character.

 

Here is a tet of his father, Seleucus II Callinicus.


Seleucus II Callinicus, 246-226 BC Chr. AR tetradrachm inc. in northern Syria or northern Mesopotamia Vs .: head with diadem from right, back: Apollon stands with arrow on tripod from left, monogram Houghton / Lorber 724.1 on left inside; Newell, WSM 990. 17.18 g.

 

Just found this bronze in my old folders. It's similar to Ryro's coin. SC 1089.

 

I only have his Great Grandfather, Antiochus I. Probably the finest portrait in my collection.

 

That is a very nice portrait!
What mint is it from?

 

Those are from Ecbatana

 

Antiochus III, 223-187 BC.
27 mm. 16.86 grams.
Sear Greek 6934
Seleucid Empire, volume 2, 237, has a similar portrait. "223-211/210."

 

..there are some fine examples here of dandy lookin' silver tets!...beautiful!..

 

Besides Molon, this is another Usurper during the reign of Antiochos III. Probably you have read about him.


Achaios (Usurper, 220-214 BC). Æ Denomination B. Sardes mint.
Obverse: Laureate head of Apollo right.
Reverse: BAΣΙΛΕΩΣ AXAIOY. Eagle standing right, palm frond over shoulder.
Reference: SC 955.2; HGC 9, 435.
4.20g; 18mm

 

@Pavlos
WOW! Thats a rare coin!

 

Very nice presentation, @Magnus Maximus ! I have a couple of bronzes.