Ptolemy VI Philometor, of Egypt, put Alexander I Balas on the throne in Syria, and gave his daughter Cleopatra Thea to him in marriage. Ptolemy VI then lost patience with Alexander I Balas and switched to support Demetrios II. Cleopatra Thea was now given by her father to Demetrios II. Diodorus tells the story this way: "Ptolemy Philometor entered Syria intending to support Alexander on the grounds of kinship. But on discovering the man's downright poverty of spirit, he transferred his daughter Cleopatra to Demetrius, alleging that there was a conspiracy afoot, and after arranging an alliance pledged her to him in marriage. Hierax and Diodotus, despairing of Alexander and standing in fear of Demetrius because of their misdeeds against his father, aroused the people of Antioch to rebellion, and receiving Ptolemy within the city, bound a diadem about his head and offered him the kingship. He, however, had no appetite for the throne, but did desire to add Coelê Syria to his own realm, and privately arranged with Demetrius a joint plan, whereby Ptolemy was to rule Coelê Syria and Demetrius his ancestral domains." -Diodorus Siculus, Library of History, XXXII.9c Ptolemy VI died from wounds in the final battle with Alexander Balas and his brother took the throne as Ptolemy VIII. Alexander Balas dies around August of 145. Diodotus was a powerful administrator under Alexander I Balas who organized a revolt against Demetrius II, crowning the young son of Alexander I as Antiochus VI. From his base in Chalcis by Belus, in Syria near Beroea, he soon took control of Apamea (~fall of 144 BC). By this time he had already taken on a new name "Tryphon". Sometime in 144/3 probably in the summer of 143 BC, he took control of Antioch and the Seleucid war elephants! This coin issued in Antioch, in the name of Antiochos VI features a war elephant on the reverse. Seleucid Empire, Antiochos VI Dionysos, 144-142 BC, Serrate Æ (23mm, 8.23g, 12h), Antioch on the Orontes mint, struck mid 143(?)-circa 142 BC. Obv: Radiate and diademed head of Antiochos VI right, wreathed with ivy Rev: Elephant left, holding torch with raised trunk; to right, ΣΤΑ above palm branch Ref: SC 2006 Demetrius II retained control of northern Syria, Sidon, Tyre, central Phoenicia, Mesopotamia and Babylonis, ruling in parallel with Antiochos VI (who was controlled by Tryphon/Diodotus). Circa 142 BC, Antiochus VI died, allegedly from surgery, and Tryphon crowned himself King. Here's how Flavius Josephus (AD 37/38- 100) tells the story. Josephus was a Jewish priest, scholar, and historian who completed "The Antiquities of the Jews" in AD 93 : "Now a little while after Demetrius had been carried into captivity, Trypho his governour, destroyed Antiochus (VI), the son of Alexander, who was also called the God: and this when he had reigned four years. Though he gave it out that he died under the hands of the surgeons. He then sent his friends, and those that were most intimate with him to the soldiers; and promised that he would give them a great deal of money if they would make him King. He intimated to them that Demetrius was made a captive by the Parthians: and that Demetrius’s brother Antiochus (VII), if he came to be King, would do them a great deal of mischief, in way of revenge for their revolting from his brother. So the soldiers, in expectation of the wealth they should get by bestowing the Kingdom on Trypho, made him their ruler." -Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, XIII.7.1 Post your coins of Seleucids: Tryphon, Antiochus VI, Demetrios II, Antiochus VII, elephants, or anything else that you find interesting or entertaining. for more coins from this period and additional resources see : https://www.sullacoins.com/post/seleucid-empire-family-fights
I like the way your elephant walks off. Mine is here to stay. Antiochos VI Dionysos 145-142 BC Serratus Serratus, I believe is describing an edge, maybe like a serrated knife. I think we give these coins the nickname "Bottle caps" as they resemble just that in shape.
Tell me about Dog Soldiers. There was a cool movie a while back with Tom Beringen in it. It is based in the current time and Beringen was hired to find some escaped prisoners. During his search, he found sound Indian relics that looked recent. He hired a University Professor to help him find out about what's going on. It was available on DVD. If you like stuff like this, you will love this film. As I said, Great movie.
I love ancient elephant coins in general! My Demetrios I and Laodike IV/Antiochos IV bottlecap elephants: Some non-Seleukids...this might be all of them at the moment... click to embiggen: And some more that I sold years ago (there's one I wish I hadn't, but no getting it back now!)
