Antiochus IV Epiphanes, Basileus of the Seleucid Empire

Abt 215 BCE - 164

• Name	Antiochus IV Epiphanes
  Relationship	with Robert Alan Roy
  Birth	Abt 215 BCE  [1, 3]
  General Information	His original name was Mithradates (alternative form Mithridates); he assumed the name Antiochus after he ascended the throne. Notable events during the reign of Antiochus IV include his near-conquest of Egypt, his persecution of the Jews of Judea and Samaria, and the rebellion of the Jewish Maccabees. His often eccentric behavior and capricious actions led some of his contemporaries to call him Epimanes ("The Mad One"), a word play on his title Epiphanes.  [3]
  History	175 BCE - Seleucus was assassinated in September 175 BCE by the usurper Heliodorus, who presumably hoped to dominate the regency. However with the help of king Eumenes II of Pergamum, Antiochus traveled from Athens, through Asia Minor and reached Syria by November 175 BCE. Seleucus' legitimate heir Demetrius I Soter was still a hostage in Rome, so Antiochus seized the throne for himself proclaiming himself co-regent with another son of Seleucus, an infant named Antiochus, whom he then murdered in 170 BCE. [3] 170 BCE - The guardians of King Ptolemy VI Philometor demanded the return of Coele-Syria in 170 BCE, declaring war on the Seleucids on the assumption that the kingdom was divided after Antiochus' murder of his nephew. However Antiochus had prepared more thoroughly and launched a preemptive strike against Egypt, defeating a Ptolemaic force and seizing Pelusium. He then advanced into Egypt proper, conquering all but Alexandria and capturing King Ptolemy. This was partially achieved because Rome (Ptolemaic Egypt's traditional ally) was embroiled in the Third Macedonian War and was not willing to become involved elsewhere. To avoid alarming Rome, Antiochus allowed Ptolemy VI to continue ruling as a puppet king from Memphis. Upon Antiochus' withdrawal, the city of Alexandria chose a new king, one of Ptolemy's brothers, also named Ptolemy (VIII Euergetes). The Ptolemy brothers agreed to rule Egypt jointly instead of fighting a civil war. In 168 BCE, Antiochus led a second attack on Egypt and also sent a fleet to capture Cyprus. Before he reached Alexandria, his path was blocked by a single elderly 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 himself 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 Antiochus and said: "Before you leave this circle, give me a reply that I can take back to the Roman Senate." This implied 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. [3] 168 BCE - He put down the Maccabean Revolt in Judea. [3]
  Death	Between Nov 164 and Dec 164 BCE	Tabae (now Tavas, Turkey) Syria   [1, 3]
  Siblings	6 Siblings
  1. Antiochus, Crown Prince,   b. 221 BCE   d. 193 BCE ▻ Laodice IV, Queen of the Seleucid Empire   2. Seleucus IV Philopator, Basileus of the Seleucid Empire ▻ Laodice IV, Queen of the Seleucid Empire   3. Ardys + 4. Laodice IV, Queen of the Seleucid Empire,   b. 223 BCE, Syria d. Abt 162 BCE, Syria ▻ Antiochus, Crown Prince;   Seleucus IV Philopator, Basileus of the Seleucid Empire;   Antiochus IV Epiphanes, Basileus of the Seleucid Empire + 5. Cleopatra I ▻ Pharaoh Ptolemy V Epiphanes + 6. Antiochis of Syria ▻ Xerxes I + 7. Antiochus IV Epiphanes, Basileus of the Seleucid Empire,   b. Abt 215 BCE   d. Between Nov 164 and Dec 164 BCE, Tabae (now Tavas, Turkey) Syria ▻ Laodice IV, Queen of the Seleucid Empire
  Person ID	I9448
  Last Modified	10 Sep 2021

  
  

  Father	Antiochus III Megas, Basileus of the Seleucid Empire,   b. 242 BCE   d. 187 BCE
  Mother	Laodice III
  Family ID	F6574	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	Laodice IV, Queen of the Seleucid Empire,   b. 223 BCE, Syria d. Abt 162 BCE, Syria
  Marriage	Yes, date unknown  [2]
  Information	They were brother and sister  [2]
  Children	1. Antiochus V Eupator, Basileus of the Seleucid Empire   2. Laodice VI   3. Antiochis
  Family ID	F6596	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
  Last Modified	10 Sep 2021

  
  

• Event Map		Death - Between Nov 164 and Dec 164 BCE - Tabae (now Tavas, Turkey) Syria  = Link to Google Earth
  Pin Legend	: Address       : Location       : City/Town       : County/Shire       : State/Province       : Country       : Not Set

  
  

• Photos

  Antiochus IV, ruler of the Seleucid Empire

  
  

• Sources

  [S1603] Online GENi, (https://www.geni.com ), Antiochus IV, ruler of the Seleucid Empire, Use with Caution. [S60] Stuart, Roderick W. Royalty for Commoners, The Complete Known Lineage of John of Gaunt, Son of Edward III, King of England, and Queen Philippa Fourth Edition, (Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing Company, 2002). [S304] Wikipedia, Antiochus IV Epiphanes.