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Home , Antiochus, Antiochus II Theos, Antiochus I Soter, Antiochus VII Sidetes, Antiochus V Eupator, Cleopatra Thea

THE MARION COUNTY MANNA PROJECT offers a Printer Friendly Summary of THE SELEUCID

The (1) existed from 312 BC to 63 BC. the Great (2), who had conquered just about everything there was to conquer, died in 323 BC without an heir to the Kingdom of Mace- donia (3). The power vacuum was filled by a collection of military commanders and rivals who had served under Alexander called the "Diadochi." They commenced to battle one another over charge of the Empire for a number of years.

Ultimately, in 312 BC, one of Alexander's infantry generals named (4) took control of a massive portion of the Kingdom of Macedonia's eastern provinces from which he formed the Seleucid Empire. At the height of its power, the Empire included central , Persia (5), (6), (7), and what is now , , and parts of and Turkmeni- stan. The official name of the Seleucid Empire was Asia, but the Romans referred to it as Syria.

The Empire's expansion was followed by the loss of territory and then a subsequent revival with ad- ditional expansion. Due to frequent civil wars breaking out amongst internal factions while also fending off exterior threats and attacks, the Seleucid Empire weakened and was ultimately devoured as a Province of the rising (8) in 63 BC. (a) (b) (c) (d)

A listing of Seleucid Kings is offered on pages 3-5. For topics closely related to the Seleucid Empire, consider exploring The (9) and 400 Years of Silence (10).

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If you're seeking additional information about Christianity on a more personal level, consider visit- ing a Christian Church here in Marion County (11). Introduce yourself to members and ask to speak with someone to learn more about Jesus. Surrendering your life to Christ (12) (e) is the most reward- ing and everlasting decision you'll ever make, and it's comforting to have someone guide you as you begin your new life as a child of the Most High! May God shower you with great favor in this en- deavor!

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Footnotes, Page Credits and External Resources appear on page 2. Consider printing and sharing the offered PDF narrative and other listed resources with family, friends and strangers alike for use in Studies (13), Home/Church Faith Sharing Groups (14), Discipleship Encounters (15) and/or Personal Faith Enrichment! Modifications are welcome at [email protected].

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1 THE MARION COUNTY MANNA PROJECT THE SELEUCID EMPIRE

FOOTNOTES: (1) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/seleucid-empire (2) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/alexander-the-great (3) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/macedonia (4) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/seleucus-i-nicator (5) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/persia (6) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/assyria (7) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/mesopotamia (8) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/rome (9) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/maccabean-revolt (10) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/400-years-of-silence (11) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/listing-by-city (12) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/the-gracious-visitor (13) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/bible-studies (14) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/christian-education (15) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/discipleship (16) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/antiochus-iv-epiphanes

PAGE CREDITS: (a) Seleucid Empire, Livius, accessed June 23, 2020 https://www.livius.org/articles/dynasty/seleucids/

(b) Seleucid Kings, Livius, accessed June 23, 2020 https://www.livius.org/articles/dynasty/seleucids/seleucid-kings/

(c) Encyclopedia, accessed June 23, 2020 https://www.ancient.eu/Seleucid_Empire/

(d) Seleucid Empire, Wikipedia, accessed June 23, 2020 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seleucid_Empire

EXTERNAL RESOURCES: (e) How Do I Convert to Christianity?, Got Questions Ministries, accessed January 12, 2020 https://www.gotquestions.org/convert-to-Christianity.html

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** Due to rival kings and dynasties, some periods of reign overlap. Periods of reign are approximate. **

RULERS & PERIOD OF REIGN (BC) COMMENTS/NOTES Seleucus I Nicator 312-281 conquered in 312; founded in 301; (co-regent with son I ) 291-281 Father/Son co-regency for 10 years 281-261 Son of Seleucus I Nicator; Father of Antiochus II Theos; Defeats in Battle of the Elephants in 275 Antiochus II Theos 261-246 Son of Antiochus I Soter; Father of Seleucus II Callinicus; Consort was daughter of II of Seleucus II Callinicus 246-225 Son of Antiochus II Theos; Father of Seleucus III Ceraunus and Antiochus III the Great Seleucus III Ceraunus 225-223 Son of Seleucus II Callinicus; Brother of Antiochus III the Great; Assassinated by members of his own army Antiochus III the Great 223-187 Son of Seleucus II Callinicus; Brother of Seleucus III Ceraunus; (co-regent with son Antiochus) 210-193 Father to Antiochus (221-193) and Seleucus IV Philopator; Ousts Ptolemy V of Egypt from and (198 BC) Seleucus IV Philopator 187-175 Son of Antiochus III the Great; Brother of Antiochus IV Epiphanes; Father of Antiochus and I Soter; Ref: Daniel 11:20 & 2 3:2-3 Antiochus 175-170 Son of Seleucus IV Philopator; Brother of Demetrius I Soter; Nephew of Antiochus IV Epiphanes Antiochus IV Epiphanes (16) 175-164 Son of Antiochus III the Great; Brother of Seleucus IV Philopator; Father of and Alexander I Balas (?); Uncle of Antiochus and Demetrius I Soter; (168) Loots ; 40,000 murdered; 40,000 more sold into slavery ( 5:11-27); (167) Orders an altar erected to in Second Temple, defiles the Altar, outlaws (2 Maccabees 6:1-11); (167-160) in Samaria and Judea leads to the Maccabean Revolt; (164) Jews recapture/rededicate the Second Temple ( origin) (2 Maccabees 10:1-9) (164) Repents and seeks God before dying (2 Maccabees 9:1-29) Antiochus V Eupator 164-161 Son of Antiochus IV Epiphanes; (161) Roman Senate recognizes Jewish autonomy ( 8:17-20); Demetrius I Soter 161-150 Son of Seleucus IV Philopator; Father of Demetrius II Nicator and Ref: 1 Maccabees 7:1 Antiochus VII Sidetes; Nephew of Antiochus IV Epiphanes; Killed by Alexander I Balas (1 Maccabees 10:48-50)

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** Due to rival kings and dynasties, some periods of reign overlap. Periods of reign are approximate. **

RULERS & PERIOD OF REIGN (BC) COMMENTS/NOTES Alexander I Balas 150-145 Unconfirmed son of Antiochus IV Epiphanes; Killed Demetrius I Soter (1 Maccabees 10:48-50); Husband of Thea (1 Maccabees 10:51-58); Defeated at Battle of Antioch by Demetrius II Nicator; Decapitated by Zabdiel the Arabian (1 Maccabees 11:14-19) Demetrius II Nicator (first reign) 145-138 (1 Maccabees 11:14-19); Son of Demetrius I Soter; Brother of Antiochus VII Sidetes; Husband of ; Father of Seleucus V Philometor and Antiochus VIII Grypus Antiochus VI Dionysus (Epiphanes) 145-140 Son of Alexander Balas I & Cleopatra Thea; Becomes rival King (1 Maccabees 11:54) Assassinated by Diodotus Tryphon (1 Maccabees 13:31-33) Diodotus Tryphon 140-138 General and Regent under Antiochus VI Dionysus; assumed throne after assassinating him (1 Maccabees 13:31-33) Antiochus VII Sidetes (Euergetes) 138-129 Son of Demetrius I Soter; Brother of Demetrius II Nicator Half-Brother of Seleucus V Philometor and Antiochus VIII Grypus; (134) Besieges ; Jews under become Seleucid vassals but retain religious autonomy. Demetrius II Nicator (2nd reign) 129-126 Son of Demetrius I Soter; Brother of Antiochus VII Sidetes; Father of Seleucus V Philometor and Antiochus VIII Grypus; Wife Cleopatra Thea instigated his death Alexander II Zabinas 129-123 Counter-King claiming to be son of Antiochus VII Ref: (2 Maccabees 1:1-10) Seleucus V Philometor 126-125 Son of Demetrius II Nicator & Cleopatra Thea; Half-Brother of Anti- ochus VIII Grypus and Antiochus VII Sidetes; (125) Murdered by his mother Cleopatra Thea 126-121 Daughter of Ptolemy VI of Egypt; Wife of 3 Kings (Alexander Balas (co-reign with Antiochus VIII Grypus) 125-121 I, Demetrius II Nicator & Antiochus VII Sidetes); Mother of 4 Kings (Antiochus VI Dionysus, Seleucus V Philometor, Antiochus VIII Grypus & Antiochus IX Cyzicenus) Ref: (2 Maccabees 1:1-10) Antiochus VIII Grypus 121-96 Son of Demetrius II Nicator; Brother of Seleucus V Philometor; Father of Seleucus VI Epiphanes Nicator, Antiochus XI Epiphanes Philadelphus, I Philadelphus, Demetrius III Eucaerus and Antiochus XII Dionysus; Half-Brother of Seleucus V Philometor and Antiochus VII Sidetes; (121) Poisoned co-regent mother Cleopatra Thea; (96) Murdered by his minister Heracleon in 96

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** Due to rival kings and dynasties, some periods of reign overlap. Periods of reign are approximate. **

RULERS & PERIOD OF REIGN (BC) COMMENTS/NOTES Antiochus IX Cyzicenus 114-96 Son of Cleopatra Thea; Father of Antiochus X Eusebes Philopator; Uncle of Philip I Philadelphus and Seleucus VI Epiphanes Nicator; Killed by Seleucus VI Epiphanes Nicator Seleucus VI Epiphanes Nicator 96-95 Son of Antiochus VIII Grypus; Brother of Demetrius III Eucaerus, Antiochus XII Dionysus, Antiochus XI Epiphanes Philadelphus, and Philip I Philadelphus; Nephew of Antiochus IX Cyzicenus; Killed Antiochus IX Cyzicenus in 96 Antiochus X Eusebes Philopator 95-92 (or 95-88 (?) while fighting the Parthians); Son of Antiochus IX Cyzicenus; Father of Antiochus XIII Asiaticus and Seleucus VII Kybiosaktes (?); Defeats Seleucus VI Epiphanes Nicator; (92) Killed Antiochus XI Epiphanes Philadelphus Demetrius III Eucaerus (or Philopator) 95-87 Son of Antiochus VIII Grypus; Brother of Seleucus VI Epiphanes Nicator, Antiochus XII Dionysus, Antiochus XI Epiphanes Philadel- phus and Philip I Philadelphus; Nephew of Antiochus IX Cyzice- nus; Mentioned in the Book of Nahum; Ref: :11b (/Dead Sea Scrolls found in 1952) Antiochus XI Epiphanes Philadelphus Son of Antiochus VIII Grypus; Brother of Philip I Philadelphus, De- (co-regent with Philip I Philadelphus) 95-92 metrius III Eucaerus, Antiochus XII Dionysus and Seleucus VI Epiphanes Nicator; Killed by Antiochus X Eusebes Philopator Philip I Philadelphus Son of Antiochus VIII Grypus; Brother of Antiochus XI Epiphanes (co-regent with Antiochus XI Epiphanes Phila- Philadelphus, Demetrius III Eucaerus, Antiochus XII Dionysus, Se- delphus) 95-92 leucus VI Epiphanes Nicator and Philip II Philoromaeus; Sole reign 92-83 Nephew of Antiochus IX Cyzicenus Antiochus XII Dionysus 87-84 Son of Antiochus VIII Grypus; Brother of Demetrius III Eucaerus, Philip I Philadelphus, Antiochus XI Epiphanes Philadelphus and Seleucus VI Epiphanes Nicator 83 King of invades, severely crippling the Seleucid Empire Seleucus VII Kybiosaktes 83-69 Son of Antiochus X Eusebes Philopator (?); Brother of Antiochus XIII Asiaticus Antiochus XIII Asiaticus 69-64 Son of Antiochus X Eusebes Philopator; Brother of Seleucus VII Kybiosaktes; 2nd cousin of Philip II Philoromaeus; Defeated by Roman General Philip II Philoromaeus 65-63 Son of Philip I Philadelphus; 2nd cousin of Antiochus XIII Asiaticus; Client king under Roman General Pompey End of Seleucid Empire 63 Region becomes a Province of the Roman Empire

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