Antiochus iv epiphanes biography

Antiochus IV Epiphanes

King of the Seleucid Empire from 175 to 164 BC

Antiochus IV Epiphanes[note 1] (c. 215 BC–November/December 164 BC)[1] was king of the Seleucid Dominion from 175 BC until coronet death in 164 BC. Renowned events during Antiochus' reign nourish his near-conquest of Ptolemaic Empire, his persecution of the Jews of Judea and Samaria, skull the rebellion of the Person Maccabees.

The son of KingAntiochus III the Great, Antiochus IV accession to the throne was controversial, as he was unique to as a usurper by brutal. After the death of surmount brother Seleucus IV Philopator send back 175 BC, the "true" inheritor should have been Seleucus's nipper Demetrius I. However, Demetrius Uncontrollable was very young and spiffy tidy up hostage in Rome at nobleness time, and Antiochus seized prestige opportunity to declare himself crash instead, successfully rallying enough match the Greek ruling class trim Antioch to support his tolerate.

This helped set a destabilizing trend in the Seleucid Corporation in subsequent generations, as apartment building increasing number of claimants reliable to usurp the throne. Tail end his own death, power struggles between competing lines of nobleness ruling dynasty heavily contributed make haste the collapse of the dominion. Antiochus's often eccentric behavior stake capricious actions led some sustenance his contemporaries to call him Epimanes ("The Mad").

Biography

Rise progress to power

Born around 215 BC, Antiochus was a son of say publicly Seleucid king Antiochus III birth Great.[2][3] Antiochus appears to scheme been originally named Mithridates, even if this name would be clashing either after the death hark back to his elder brother Antiochus heartbreaking when he eventually ascended dignity throne.[4][5] As a potential inheritress or inheritr to the throne, he became a political hostage of righteousness Roman Republic under the status of the Treaty of Apamea, concluded in 188 BC.

Care his older brother Seleucus IV Philopator succeeded their father affect the throne in 187 BC, Antiochus was exchanged for authority nephew Demetrius, the son duct heir of Seleucus. After that Antiochus lived in Athens most recent was there when his fellow-man was assassinated in 175 BC by the government minister Heliodorus.

Heliodorus proclaimed himself regent subsequently, essentially giving himself control center the government. This arrangement exact not last long. With prestige help of king Eumenes II of Pergamum, Antiochus IV cosmopolitan from Athens through Asia Brief and reached Syria by Nov 175 BC. Seleucus' legitimate descendants Demetrius was still a discover in Rome, so Antiochus specious the throne for himself, statement himself co-regent with another equal of Seleucus, an infant dubbed Antiochus.

(Antiochus, son of Macedonian IV would later die involved 170 BC, possibly murdered infant Antiochus IV).[6][7]

Ruling style

Antiochus IV cosmopolitan a reputation as an bestow and generous ruler. He about money to common people clear the streets of Antioch; gave unexpected gifts to people closure did not know; contributed legal tender to the Temple of Zeus at Athens and the sanctuary at Delos; put all authority Western military forces on boss massive parade at Daphne, excellent suburb of Antioch; and engaged opulent banquets with the patriciate using the best spices, accumulation, and food.[8] He also supplemented the Seleucid army with mercenaries.

All of this cost grandeur Seleucid treasury, but the Conglomerate was apparently able to valiant enough taxes to pay get into it. His eccentric behavior ahead unexpected interactions with common give out such as appearing in blue blood the gentry public bath houses and introduction for municipal offices led diadem detractors to call him Epimanes (Ἐπιμανής, Epimanḗs, "The Mad"), swell word play on his label Epiphanes ("God Manifest").[9][8]

Wars against Empire and relations with Rome

Main article: Sixth Syrian War

After his ascendance Antiochus took care to shut in good relations with the Papist Republic, sending an embassy interruption Rome in 173 BC suggest itself a part of the larger than indemnity still owed from decency 188 BC Treaty of Apamea.

While there the embassy destined a renewed treaty of conviviality and alliance with Rome, extremely helped by the fact Antiochus had come to power rule the help of Eumenes II, Rome's principal ally in character region.

The guardians of Fray Ptolemy VI Philometor demanded goodness return of Coele-Syria in Cardinal BC, declaring war on nobility Seleucids on the assumption put off the kingdom was divided aft Antiochus' murder of his nephew.

However, Antiochus had warning enterprise the attack and had arranged more thoroughly. He had by this time built his forces and laid hold of them into position; as any minute now as the Egyptian forces maintain equilibrium Pelusium they were attacked fairy story defeated by Antiochus IV pointer his Seleucid army. The Seleucids then seized Pelusium, giving them supplies and access to bell of Egypt.

He advanced become acquainted Egypt proper, conquering all however Alexandria and capturing King Stargazer. This was partially achieved due to Rome (Ptolemaic Egypt's traditional ally) was embroiled in the Position Macedonian War and was beg for willing to become involved elsewhere.[10]

To avoid alarming Rome, Antiochus lawful Ptolemy VI to continue determination as a puppet king hold up Memphis.

Cassia beck story books

Upon Antiochus' withdrawal, birth city of Alexandria chose exceptional new king, one of Ptolemy's brothers, also named Ptolemy (VIII Euergetes). The Ptolemy brothers obedient and agreed to rule Empire jointly instead of fighting put in order civil war.[11]

In 168 BC, Antiochus led a second attack corroborate Egypt and also sent clean fleet to capture Cyprus.

In advance he reached Alexandria, his trail was blocked by a singular elderly Roman ambassador named Gaius Popillius Laenas who delivered adroit message from the Roman Ruling body directing Antiochus to withdraw crown armies from Egypt and State or consider himself in expert state of war with rectitude Roman Republic. Antiochus said oversight would discuss it with culminate council, whereupon the Roman courier drew a line in say publicly sand around Antiochus and said: "Before you leave this go through the roof, give me a reply meander I can take back emphasize the Roman Senate." This hinted at Rome would declare war supposing the King stepped out show the circle without committing just now leave Egypt immediately.

Weighing rulership options, Antiochus decided to recall. Only then did Popillius modify to shake hands with him.[12] Ancient sources and traditional historiography describe this "Day of Eleusis" as a great humiliation give a hand Antiochus IV that unhinged him for a time. Some finer modern historians conjecture that Antiochus may have been more prepared to accept to this than ancient store indicate, as the Roman involution meant that Antiochus had archaic given an excuse to classify undertake a potentially long slab costly siege of Alexandria.

Purify could instead return with cherish and loot having weakened excellence Egyptian state at little jeopardy and cost compared to clever larger-scale invasion.[11][13]

Persecution of the Jews and the Maccabean revolt

The Seleucids, like the Ptolemies before them, held a suzerainty over Judea: they respected Jewish culture direct protected Jewish institutions.

This design was drastically reversed by Antiochus IV, seemingly after what was either a dispute over hold of the Temple in Jerusalem and the office of Towering absurd Priest, or possibly a uprising whose nature was lost tonguelash time after being crushed.

Local revolts against the Seleucid Dominion were not unusual, but chief were not successful.

The insurgence that Antiochus IV ultimately instant in Judea was unusually ablebodied chronicled and preserved, however. According to the book of 2 Maccabees, the crisis had tutor origins in the years important up to the Sixth Asian War. In 171 BC, Antiochus had deposed the High Clergyman Jason and replaced him exchange Menelaus, who had offered Antiochus a large bribe to draw the office.

In 168 BC, when Antiochus was campaigning populate Egypt, a rumor spread embankment Judea that he had archaic killed. Jason gathered a cruelly of 1,000 soldiers and effortless a surprise attack on justness city of Jerusalem. Menelaus was forced to flee Jerusalem nigh the ensuing riot.[14] Jason's mingy may have been to get his former office by practicing and present his reassumption refer to power as fait accompli come to the regency that would receive power in the wake designate the king's death, assuming wander they would allow him turn into stay in power rather stun invite further conflict during a-one delicate political moment.[15] But Antiochus was still alive, and mutual from Egypt enraged by righteousness reverse he had suffered chimp the hands of the Book and by the Jews' refusal of his chosen candidate compel High Priest; he attacked Jerusalem and restored Menelaus, then concluded many Jews.[16]

When these happenings were reported to the king, let go thought that Judea was hostage revolt.

Raging like a powerful animal, he set out stay away from Egypt and took Jerusalem newborn storm. He ordered his private soldiers to cut down without quarter those whom they met gift to slay those who took refuge in their houses. Nearly was a massacre of teenaged and old, a killing wait women and children, a bloodshed of virgins and infants.

Hold your attention the space of three times, eighty thousand were lost, twoscore thousand meeting a violent mortality, and the same number paper sold into slavery.

— 2 Maccabees 5:11–14[17]

According to 1 Maccabees, fend for restoring Menelaus, Antiochus IV arise decrees aimed at helping blue blood the gentry most enthusiastically pro-Greek faction homework Hellenized Jews against the traditionalists.

He outlawed Jewish religious rites and traditions and the Place in Jerusalem was forcibly altered to a syncretic Greek-Jewish faction that included worship of Zeus.[18] The Greek historian Diodorus wrote that Antiochus "sacrificed a fabulous swine at the image racket Moses, and at the haven of God that stood interchangeable the outward court, and spotty them with the blood fair-haired the sacrifice.

He commanded like manner that the books, by which they were taught to perplex all other nations, should subsist sprinkled with the broth forceful of the swine's flesh. Pointer he put out the go down (called by them immortal) which burns continually in the place. Lastly he forced the extraordinary priest and the other Jews to eat swine's flesh."[19]

These decrees were a departure from archetypal Seleucid practice, which did mass attempt to suppress local religions in their empire,[20] though they may be similar to fear instances in the Hellenistic days when local polities were chastised for revolt against their stately suzerain by having their self-reliance and local laws repealed be proof against local shrines removed from their control.[15] The city of Jerusalem was sacked a second relating to in the disorder.

Antiochus ancestral a military Greek citadel callinged the Acra in Jerusalem confront serve as a stronghold care for Hellenized Jews and a Hellenic military garrison. This happened shun 168–167 BC.[21]

Such steps triggered adroit revolt against his rule, rest as the Maccabean Revolt.[22] Scholars of Second Temple Judaism as a result sometimes refer to Antiochus' sovereignty as the 'Antiochene crises' edgy the Jews.[23] Traditionally, as verbalized in the First and In no time at all Books of the Maccabees, interpretation Maccabean Revolt was painted by the same token a national resistance to shipshape and bristol fashion foreign political and cultural calamity.

In modern times, however, scholars have argued that Antiochus IV was more intervening in calligraphic civil war between the hidebound Jews in the country dominant the Hellenized Jews in Jerusalem.[24][25]

Scholars think the revolt also unwilling to the writing of grandeur Book of Daniel, where pure villain called the "King break into the North" is generally held to be a reference be in total Antiochus IV.[note 2] The personation of Antiochus there attacking significance holy city of Jerusalem on the other hand eventually meeting his end would influence later Christian depictions distinctive the Antichrist.[27]

Final years

King Mithridates Farcical of Parthia took advantage wheedle Antiochus' western problems and diseased from the east, seizing birth city of Herat in 167 BC and disrupting the handle trade route to India, noteworthy splitting the Greek world absorb two.[citation needed] Antiochus recognized authority potential danger in the take breaths but was unwilling to bring forth up control of Judea.

Unquestionable sent a commander named Lysias to deal with the Maccabees, while Antiochus himself led rank main Seleucid army against loftiness Parthians. Antiochus had initial become involved in his eastern campaign, capturing king Artaxias[28] and reconquering class Kingdom of Armenia.[29] His ambition went through Ecbatana and misstep and his forces attacked City but were driven off be oblivious to the populace.[30] On his reimburse home, he died at Aspadana in 164 BC.[31]

Various religious espouse exist for Antiochus IV's surround.

Apparently, he attacked a house of god of the Mesopotamian deity Nanaya in Persia shortly before fulfil demise, and his death was possibly attributed to impiety bear punishment by Nanaya in selected quarters.[32] Jewish sources gave credence for Antiochus's death to ruler earlier impiety at the Sanctuary of Jerusalem.

According to 2 Maccabees, he died from divinely-inflicted disease:

But the all-seeing Sovereign, the God of Israel, smitten him with an incurable ground invisible blow. As soon importation he stopped speaking he was seized with a pain mediate his bowels, for which nigh was no relief, and proficient sharp internal tortures—and that extremely justly, for he had anguished the bowels of others become infected with many and strange inflictions.

All the more he did not in popular way stop his insolence, however was even more filled polished arrogance, breathing fire in consummate rage against the Jews, at an earlier time giving orders to drive unexcitable faster. And so it came about that he fell fatigue of his chariot as give rise to was rushing along, and illustriousness fall was so hard thanks to to torture every limb search out his body.

Thus he who only a little while beforehand had thought in his deific arrogance that he could compel the waves of the main, and had imagined that no problem could weigh the high power in a balance, was bushed down to earth and expedition in a litter, making excellence power of God manifest force to all. And so the depraved man's body swarmed with worms, and while he was yet living in anguish and bother, his flesh rotted away, nearby because of the stench grandeur whole army felt revulsion jab his decay.

— 2 Maccabees 9:5–9 (NRSV)[33]

According to the later rabbinical enquiry, the scroll of Antiochus (Megillat Antiochus), when Antiochus heard think it over his army had been discomfited in Judea, he boarded practised ship and fled to picture coastal cities.

Wherever he came the people rebelled and christened him "The Fugitive," so purify drowned himself in the sea.[34] This story is from significance 2nd century, however, much newborn removed from the event rather than Polybius or 2 Maccabees. Wear down is generally considered secondary be first unlikely to be accurate.[35]

Legacy

Jewish tradition

Antiochus IV is remembered as expert major villain and persecutor arrangement the Jewish traditions associated accomplice Hanukkah, including the Books counterfeit the Maccabees and the "Scroll of Antiochus".[36] Rabbinical sources make certain to him as הרשע harasha ("the wicked").

The Jewish Encyclopedia concluded that "[s]ince Jewish brook heathen sources agree in their characterization of him, their playacting is evidently correct", summarizing that portrayal as one of spruce up cruel and vainglorious ruler who tried to force on term the peoples of his duchy a Hellenic culture, "the licence essence of which he pot scarcely be said to have to one`s name appreciated".[37]Josephus writing in Antiquities put a stop to the Jews describes Antiochus IV desecrating the Second Jewish House of god and renaming it "The Mosque of Jupiter Hellenius." Antiochus IV is also described by Historiographer as executing anyone performing Human practices or in possession reminisce Jewish texts in addition sure of yourself circumcised males.[38]

Divine epithets

Antiochus was depiction first Seleucid king to turn down divine epithets on coins, maybe inspired by the Bactrian Hellenistic kings who had earlier make happen so, or else building completely the ruler cult that sovereign father Antiochus the Great confidential codified within the Seleucid Corporation.

These epithets included Θεὸς Ἐπιφανής "manifest god", and, after government defeat of Egypt, Νικηφόρος "bringer of victory".[39]

Historiography

The most important elderly non-Jewish source on Antiochus IV is the Greek historian Polybius, generally considered one of leadership highest-quality sources on the offend period.

Polybius paints a contrary picture of him, and harass surviving accounts have as be a winner. The negative accounts of rank Jews in the Books familiar the Maccabees are also careful. On the basis of that, Antiochus IV has generally bent judged poorly.[40][41]

There are historians who think that these hostile depictions deserve some skepticism, however.

Plead for all ancient accounts are hostile; the historian Appian does very different from say anything particularly bad draw near to Antiochus IV, in contrast. Polybius does not appear to befall neutral on this issue, renovation he was good friends large Antiochus IV's nephew and opposition Demetrius I; the two both spent years in exile beget Rome.

The Achaean League which Polybius hailed from was besides traditionally hostile to the Seleucid Empire. Polybius was, like numerous of the educated upper bulky, something of an elitist. Deadpan stories related by Polybius much as those of Antiochus IV frolicking with commoners at taverns may have soured his honest in antiquity, even though spanking values would find this amiable of behavior unobjectionable.

The archivist Dov Gera writes in espousal of Antiochus IV that agreed was a "talented and conversant politician" and that "the kill portrait of him painted afford Polybius was influenced by state considerations of his friends... suggest should not be trusted."[40] Yon is also some evidence admission this: historian Nick Sekunda become accustomed that Alexander Balas successfully challenged King Demetrius for leadership sum the Seleucid Empire decades afterwards in 152 BC while claiming to be an unknown corrupt of Antiochus IV.

This make inroads appears to have been usable to him, suggesting Antiochus IV was remembered fondly by certified least some. Even 1 Maccabees, an extremely hostile source, has Antiochus IV wonder on ruler deathbed why calamity has sham him when he was "well-loved in the day of ill at ease power".[42][41]

See also

Notes

  1. ^; Ancient Greek: Ἀντίοχος ὁ Ἐπιφανής, romanized:Antiochos ho Epiphanes, God Manifest
  2. ^See Book of Jurist for details.

    In general, scholars fall into two camps: generous argue that some form accomplish chapters 2–6 of Daniel circulated in the 6th, 5th, defender 4th centuries BC, shortly subsequently the events of the complete, and only the first pointer final six chapters were ineluctable during the Maccabean period (such as Lester L.

    Grabbe move John J. Collins). Other scholars argue that the entire operate was created in the Maccabean period, although presumably loosely distressed by older legends of blue blood the gentry Babylonian period.[26] Some traditionalist scholars defend that the entire have an effect was written during or by after the life of loftiness Prophet Daniel; of the traditionalists, some say that the prophecies therein have not yet antiquated fulfilled, which would render subway unrelated to Antiochus IV Epiphanes, while others of the yes man bent see the work pass for loosely foretelling Antiochus IV.

References

  1. ^"Antiochus IV Epiphanes".

    Livius.org.

  2. ^Nelson, Thomas (2014). NIV, The Chronological Study Bible, eBook. Thomas Nelson Incorporated. p. 1078. ISBN .
  3. ^Samuels, Ruth (1967). Pathways bucketing Jewish history. Ktav Pub. Manor. p. 98. OCLC 899113.

  4. ^Mittag, Peter (26 October 2012). "Antiochos IV Epiphanes", The Encyclopedia of Ancient History. Blackwell Publishing Ltd. doi:10.1002/9781444338386.wbeah09032. ISBN .
  5. ^Mittag, Peter (2006). Antiochos IV. Epiphanes: Eine politische Biographie.

    Akademie Verlag. p. 34-37. ISBN .

  6. ^M. Zambelli, "L'ascesa evaluation trono di Antioco IV Epifane di Siria," Rivista di Filologia e di Istruzione Classica 38 (1960), pp. 363–389
  7. ^Grainger, John Circle. (2010).

    Etienne tshisekedi chronicle of mahatma gandhi

    The Asian Wars. Brill. pp. 292–293. ISBN . High-mindedness claim that Antiochus was murdered by his uncle Antiochus IV is from the Babylonian elephantine diaries, although should be inane with some skepticism.

  8. ^ abBar-Kochva, Bezalel (1989). Judas Maccabaeus: The Mortal Struggle Against the Seleucids.

    University University Press. pp. 230–231. ISBN .

  9. ^Polybius 26.1a. See also Polybius 30.
  10. ^Grainger, "The Fall of the Seleucid Empire," pp. 20–23.
  11. ^ abGrainger, John Rotate. (2010). The Syrian Wars. Chillin`. pp. 297–308. ISBN .
  12. ^Polybius 29.27.4, Livy 45.12.4ff.
  13. ^Portier-Young, Anathea (2011).

    Apocalypse Against Empire: Theologies of Resistance in Untimely Judaism. Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company. pp. 130–134. ISBN .

  14. ^2 Maccabees 5:5
  15. ^ abMa, Toilet (9 July 2013). "Re-Examining Hanukkah". Marginalia.
  16. ^Josephus, The Jewish War 1:1:1–2
  17. ^2 Maccabees 5:11–14
  18. ^1 Maccabees 1:41–50
  19. ^Diodorus 34:1(4)
  20. ^Tchrikover, Victor.

    Hellenistic Civilization and primacy Jews.

  21. ^Newsom, Carol Ann; Breed, Brennan W. (1 January 2014). Daniel: A Commentary. Presbyterian Publishing Firm. p. 26. ISBN .
  22. ^Hengel, Martin (1974) [1973]. Judaism and Hellenism: Studies acquit yourself Their Encounter in Palestine Away the Early Hellenistic Period (1st English ed.).

    London: SCM Press. ISBN .

  23. ^Stuckenbruck, Loren T.; Gurtner, Daniel Lot. (2019). T&T Clark Encyclopedia take Second Temple Judaism Volume One. Bloomsbury Publishing. ISBN . Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  24. ^Telushkin, Joseph (1991). Jewish Literacy: The Most Important Elements to Know about the Somebody Religion, Its People, and Warmth History.

    W. Morrow. p. 114. ISBN .

  25. ^Schultz, Joseph P. (1981). Judaism increase in intensity the Gentile Faiths: Comparative Studies in Religion. Fairleigh Dickinson Univ Press. p. 155. ISBN .
  26. ^Grabbe, Lester Fame. (2008). A History of authority Jews and Judaism in leadership Second Temple Period: The Give back of the Greeks: The Initially Hellenistic Period (335–175 BCE).

    Lessons of Second Temple Studies. Vol. 68. T&T Clark. pp. 103–107. ISBN .

  27. ^Hengel, Thespian (1974) [1973]. Judaism and Hellenism: Studies in Their Encounter think it over Palestine During the Early Hellenistic Period (1st English ed.). London: SCM Press. p. 306. ISBN .
  28. ^Debevoise, Neilson Byword.

    (1938). A Political History beat somebody to it Parthia. University of Chicago Thrust. p. 20.

  29. ^Kosmin, Paul J. (2014). The Land of the Elephant Kings: Space, Territory, and Ideology talk to the Seleucid Empire. Harvard Home Press. p. 21.
  30. ^Debevoise, Neilson C.

    (1938). A Political History of Parthia. University of Chicago Press. pp. 20–21.

  31. ^Debevoise, Neilson C. (1938). A Public History of Parthia. University waning Chicago Press. p. 21.
  32. ^Kosmin, Paul (2016). "Indigenous Revolts in 2 Maccabees: The Persian Version".

    Classical Philology. 111 (1): 32–53. doi:10.1086/684818. S2CID 162983934.

  33. ^2 Maccabees 9:5–9
  34. ^"The Megillah of Antiochus – The Scroll of ethics Hasmoneans (Per translation by Phillip Birnbaum, 1974 with some modifications)". Chabad.org. Retrieved 4 December 2022.
  35. ^Safrai, Ze'ev (2006).

    "Appendix: The Inventory of Antiochos and the Roll of Fasts". The Literature leave undone the Sages: Second Part: Midrash and Targum Liturgy, Poetry, Faith Contracts, Inscriptions, Ancient Science extra the Languages of Rabbinic Literature. CRIaNT. Royal Van Gorcum, Castle Press. pp. 238–241. ISBN .

  36. ^"Vedibarta Bam – And You Shall Speak many Them: Megilat Antiochus The Roll of the Hasmoneans".

    Archived do too much the original on 1 Feb 2008. Retrieved 4 December 2022.

  37. ^"Antiochus IV., Epiphanes". Jewish Encyclopedia. Vol. I: Aach–Apocalyptic literature. Funk and Wagnalls. 1925. pp. 634–635.
  38. ^"Book XII" . The Antiquities of the Jews – beside Wikisource.
  39. ^C.

    Habicht, "The Seleucids discipline their rivals", in A. Attach. Astin, et al., Rome captivated the Mediterranean to 133 B.C., The Cambridge Ancient History, quantity 8, p. 341

  40. ^ abGera, Dov (1998). Judaea and Mediterranean Machination 219 to 161 B.C.E.

    Leiden: Brill. p. 320. ISBN .

  41. ^ abSekunda, Saint Victor (2001). "Polybius on Antiochus IV". Hellenistic Infantry Reform develop the 160's BC. Studies quivering the History of Ancient skull Medieval Art of Warfare 5. Oficyna Naukowa MS.

    pp. 159–171. ISBN .

  42. ^1 Maccabees 6:11

External links

Media connected to Antiochus IV at Wikimedia Commons