Difference between revisions of "Category:Seleucus IV Philopator (subject)"

Seleucus IV Philopator was King of Syria, from 187 BCE to 175 BCE.

Overview

Seleucus IV Philopator, son of Antiochus III the Great, was the seventh ruler of the Seleucid Empire.

Ancient sources describe Seleucus IV as "inactive and weak because of his father's defeat" (Appianus, Syriaca 11), an unresourceful ruler who "had an inglorious death without making any war" (Jerome, Expl. Dan. 11). The defeat of Antiochus III by the Romans in the battle of Magnesia in 189 BCE had created a dramatic situation. The Romans imposed an onerous annual tribute and took members of the royal family as hostages. In 175 BCE Seleucus obtained the release of his younger brother Antiochus IV Epiphanes but only by sending his own twelve-year-old son and heir Demetrius. The continuous and desperate search for money created a lot of discontent within the kingdom, while paralyzing the foreign policy of the Empire. Seleucus was unable to find a way out and fell victim of conspiracy by one of his offcials, named Heliodorus (it is uncertain whether he was the same Heliodorus whom Seleucus IV had sent as deputy to Jerusalem).

Seleucus was eventually succeeded by his brother Antiochus IV Epiphanes.

Seleucus IV and the Jews

As King of Syria, Seleucus IV was the ruler of Judea. When a certain Simon denounced the presence in the Jerusalem Temple of "untold sums of money," Seleucus immediately sent an officer of his, Heliodorus, to inquire. The mission, poorly prepared, was a complete failure. Seleucus had no legal basis to claim more money from one of his tax collectors than had been agreed upon. His patent underestimation of Onias III's power at Jerusalem led to comic result; the High Priest had the power to withhold payment and even took the liberty of beating, humiliating, and finally bribing the king's officer without fear of punishment.

Seleucus IV in Second Temple sources

2 Maccabees

2 Macc 3:1-4:7

Josephus, Jewish Antiquities

Ant XII 223 -- At this time Seleucus (IV Philopator), who was called Soter, reigned over Asia, being the son of Antiochus the Great.

Ant XII 234 -- Seleucus (IV Philopator) was king of Syria. When he was dead, his brother Antiochus, who was called Epiphanes, took the kingdom.

Ant XII 389 -- About the same time Demetrius (I Soter), the son of Seleucus (IV Philopator), fled away from Rome...

See also

• Appian, Roman History: Syrian Wars 8.45, 11.66.

Seleucus IV in Scholarship

Seleucus IV in Fiction

Related categories

• Seleucid Kings (subject)

External links

• Wikipedia