Antiochus VI Dionysus

Antiochus VI Dionysus
Antiochus VI Dionysus
	Coin of Antiochus VI Dionysus, Apamea mint
King of the Seleucid Empire (King of Syria)
Reign	Seleucid kingdom: 145 or in early 144 BC - 142/1 BC
Coronation	Never officially held power, in opposition of King Demetrius II Nicator
Predecessor	Alexander I Balas
Successor	Diodotus Tryphon
Regent	Diodotus Tryphon
Born	148 BC
Died	142/1 BC (aged 7-9)
Father	Alexander Balas
Mother	Cleopatra Thea

Antiochus VI Dionysus (c. 148–142/1 BC), king of the Hellenistic Seleucid kingdom, was the son of Alexander Balas and Cleopatra Thea, daughter of Ptolemy VI of Egypt.

Biography

Antiochus VI did not actually rule. Either already in 145 or in early 144 BC he was nominated by the general Diodotus Tryphon as heir to the throne in opposition to Demetrius II, and remained the general's tool.^[1] In c. 142/141 BC, the young king died.^[2] While some ancient authors make Diodotus Tryphon responsible for the death of the king,^[3] others write that he died during a surgery.^[4]

Coin of Antiochus VI. The reverse shows Castor and Polydeuces on horseback. The Greek inscription reads ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ (king Antiochus). The date ΘΞΡ is 169 of the Seleucid era, corresponding to 144–143 BC.

References

Schürer, E. (1973). A History of the Jewish People in the Age of Jesus Christ (175 BC- AD 135) (Revised and Edited by G. Vermes and F. Millar ed.). Edinburgh. pp. 183–197.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)

Footnotes

^ The first coins of the king are dated to the year 144 BC Houghton, Arthur (1992). "The Revolt of Tryphon and the accession of Antiochos VI at Apamea". SNR. 71: 119–41.
^ The last coinage of Antiochos VI is dated to the year 142/141 BC, see Houghton, Arthur, Lorber, Catherine C, Hoover, Oliver D. (2008), Seleucid Coins: A comprehensive catalogue, Part II: Seleucus IV to Antiochus XIII, 2 Vols, New York/Lancaster PA, Nr. 2020; 2022.3; 2026.
^ Makk. 13.31; Diod. Sic. 33.28; App. Syr. 68. 357; Iust. 36.1.7.; Oros. 5.4.18.
^ Ios. Ant. 13. 218; Liv. per. 55.

External links

Antiochus VI entry in historical sourcebook by Mahlon H. Smith

Antiochus VI Dionysus Seleucid dynasty Born: 148 BC Died: 142/1 BC
Preceded by Alexander Balas	Seleucid King (King of Syria) 145–142 BC with Demetrius II Nicator (145–138 BC) Diodotus Tryphon (co-regent)	Succeeded by Diodotus Tryphon