Great History, ties in a bunch of coins. Rise to power.. As the son and a potential successor of King Antiochus III, Antiochus became a political hostage of the Roman Republic following the Peace of Apamea in 188 BC. When his older brother, Seleucus IVfollowed his father onto the throne in 187 BC, Antiochus was exchanged for his nephew Demetrius I Soter (the son and heir of Seleucus). After King Seleucus was assassinated by Heliodorus, a usurper, in 175 BC, Antiochus in turn ousted him. Since Seleucus' legitimate heir, Demetrius I Soter, was still a hostage in Rome, Antiochus, with the help of King Eumenes II of Pergamum, seized the throne for himself, proclaiming himself co-regent for another son of Seleucus, an infant named Antiochus (whom he then murdered a few years later).[4] Wars against Egypt.. When the guardians of King Ptolemy VI of Egypt demanded the return of Coele-Syria in 170 BC, Antiochus launched a preemptive strike against Egypt, conquering all but Alexandria and capturing King Ptolemy. To avoid alarming Rome, Antiochus allowed Ptolemy VI to continue ruling as a puppet king. Upon Antiochus' withdrawal, the city of Alexandria chose a new king, one of Ptolemy's brothers, also named Ptolemy (VIII Euergetes). Instead of fighting a civil war, the Ptolemy brothers agreed to rule Egypt jointly. In 168 BC Antiochus led a second attack on Egypt and also sent a fleet to capture Cyprus. Before reaching Alexandria, his path was blocked by a single, old Roman ambassador named Gaius Popillius Laenas, who delivered a message from the Roman Senate directing Antiochus to withdraw his armies from Egypt and Cyprus, or consider themselves in a state of war with the Roman Republic. Antiochus said he would discuss it with his council, whereupon the Roman envoy drew a line in the sand around him and said, "Before you cross this circle I want you to give me a reply for the Roman Senate" – implying that Rome would declare war if the King stepped out of the circle without committing to leave Egypt immediately. Weighing his options, Antiochus decided to withdraw. Only then did Popillius agree to shake hands with him.[5] From Wikpedia.. Post any Antiochus, Ptolemy, Roman Rep. coins from that time or Samaria mint Antiochus lV ..174- 164..BC. Obv. radiate head of Antiochus lV. Rev. female deity seated left, on throne with high poles on back.her right hand out stretched holds small winged nike left holding wreath, bird left at feet. Samaria mint. lite green sandy patina Hendin 1129 15mm x 3.67g. very heavy for such a small coin..
Great timing! I'm currently reading James Michener's "The Source" and right now the action is taking place during the reign of Antiochus IV. I'm trying to flip back and forth between the book and various historical resources to check accuracy of the portrayal.
To continue history: This is a scarce drachm of Antiochus V Eupator, who succeeded his father Antiochus IV at the age of 9 after his father died in 163 BC. Unfortunately for Antiochus, Demetrios I Sotor (vide infra) was released from Rome, claimed the throne in 161 BC and in the process had his young competitor killed.
Thanks ! Some years ago Seleucid drachms were still fairly affordable. I don't see many bargain offers lately, unfortunately.
Kind of goes for all ancients unfortunately. Material on the market continues to decline and prices escalate....
cool write up ENG, and a nice new coin. i'm overdue for a seleucid, i don't have an antiochus iv, i do have a couple of his enemy ptolemy vi. here is my most recent.
Coin struck under Antiochos IV Epiphanes. Elephant Head Left. Obverse: Veiled bust of Laodike IV, wife and sister of both Seleucus IV and Antiochus IV. Hoover 685.
The matter between Antiochus IV and Gaius Popillius Laenas, in Polybius' words... "27 1 At the time when Antiochus approached Ptolemy and meant to occupy Pelusium, Caius Popilius Laenas, the Roman commander, on Antiochus greeting him from a distance and then holding out his hand, handed to the king, as he had it by him, the copy of the senatus-consultum, and told him to read it first, not thinking it proper, as it seems to me, to make the conventional sign of friendship before he knew if the intentions of him who was greeting him were friendly or hostile. 4 But when the king, after reading it, said he would like to communicate with his friends about this intelligence, Popilius acted in a manner which was thought to be offensive and exceedingly arrogant. 5 He was carrying a stick cut from a vine, and with this he drew a circle round Antiochus and told him he must remain inside this circle until he gave his decision about the contents of the letter. 6 The king was astonished at this authoritative proceeding, but, after a few moments' hesitation, said he would do all that the Romans demanded. Upon this Popilius and his suite all grasped him by the hand and greeted him warmly. 7 The letter ordered him to put an end at once to the war with Ptolemy. 8 So, as a fixed number of days were allowed to him, he led his army back to Syria, deeply hurt and complaining indeed, but yielding to circumstances for the present." Polybius, Histories, xxix, 27. Poor Antiochus was told to take his toys and go home. You don't mess with Rome! I can just see him on the march back to Syria. Razza-frazza...stupid Romans...won't let me kick Ptolemy's butt...grumble mumble.
I couldn't stop myself to post this bronze model coin of Antiochus IV. It weighs 9.58 g. Diameter is 20 mm. BMC 71 , SNG Spear 1008.
