Difference between revisions of "Category:Seleucus IV Philopator (subject)"
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Seleucus IV Philopator, son of [[Antiochus III the Great]], was the seventh ruler of the [[Seleucid Kings|Seleucid Empire]]. | Seleucus IV Philopator, son of [[Antiochus III the Great]], was the seventh ruler of the [[Seleucid Kings|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. | 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 I Soter|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). | ||
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 I Soter|Demetrius]] | |||
Seleucus was eventually succeeded by his brother [[Antiochus IV Epiphanes]]. | Seleucus was eventually succeeded by his brother [[Antiochus IV Epiphanes]]. | ||
Revision as of 12:33, 14 July 2010
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
Seleucus IV in Scholarship
Seleucus IV in Fiction
Related categories
External links
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