Irlandos at 11:13, July 15, 2006

2006-07-15T11:13:11Z

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'''Antiochus IV Epiphanes''' (Αντίοχος Επιφανής, [[Greek language|Greek]]: ''Manifest'') ("The Shining One") (''c''. [[215 BC | 215]]–[[163 BC]], reigned [[175 BC|175]]–[[163 BC]]) was a ruler of the [[Hellenistic]] [[Seleucid Empire]]. He was originally named Mithradates, but renamed Antiochus, either upon his ascension, or after the death of his elder brother Antiochus. He was a son of [[Antiochus III the Great]] and brother of [[Seleucus IV Philopator]].

Antiochus took power after the death of Seleucus Philopator. He had been hostage in [[Rome]] following the peace of Apamea in [[188 BC]], but had recently been exchanged for the son and rightful heir of Seleucus IV, the later [[Demetrius I of Syria|Demetrius I Soter]]. Antiochus took advantage of this situation, and proclaimed himself co-regent with another of Seleucus' sons, the infant Antiochus, whose murder he orchestrated a few years later.

Notable events during his reign include the near-conquest of Egypt, which was halted by the threat of Roman intervention, and the beginning of the Jewish revolt of the Maccabees.

Because the guardians of [[Ptolemy VI of Egypt]] were demanding the return of Coele-Syria, Antiochus, in [[170 BC]], decided on a preemptive strike against Egypt, and invaded, conquering all but [[Alexandria]]. He then captured Ptolemy, and agreed to let him continue as King, but as his puppet. (This had the advantage of not alarming Rome.) Alexandria thereupon chose Ptolemy's brother [[Ptolemy VIII of Egypt|Ptolemy Euergetes]] as King. In Antiochus' absence, the two brothers agreed to rule jointly. Hence, in [[168 BC]], Antiochus again invaded, and overran all Egypt, except for Alexandria, while his fleet captured [[Cyprus]]. Near Alexandria he was met by Gaius Popillius Laenas, who told him that he must immediately withdraw from Egypt and Cyprus. Antiochus said he would discuss it with his council, whereupon the envoy drew a line round him in the sand, and said, "Think about it here." The implication was that, were he to step out of the circle without having first undertaken to withdraw, he would be at war with Rome. Antiochus agreed to withdraw.

In a spirit of revenge, he organized an expedition against Jerusalem, which he destroyed; he put many of its inhabitants to death most cruelly. From this time, the Jews began the war of independence under their Maccabean leaders, defeating the armies that Antiochus sent against them. Enraged at this, Antiochus is said to have marched against them in person, threatening to exterminate the nation; but, on the way, he was suddenly arrested by the hand of death ([[164 BC]]). The exact causes of the Jewish revolt, and of Antiochus' response to it, are uncertain; the Jewish accounts are in the Books of Maccabees and the successful revolt is commemorated by the holiday of Hanukkah. His last years were spent on a campaign against the rising Parthian empire, which seems to have been initially successful, but which terminated upon his death.

The reign of Antiochus was a last period of strength for the empire, but in some way it was fatal; since he was an usurper, and left his infant son [[Antiochus V Eupator]] as his successor, devastating dynastic wars followed his death.

Christian theologians traditionally have pointed to the prophecy in the Book of Daniel as foretelling the coming of Antichus Epiphanes.[http://www.keyway.ca/htm2002/antioiv.htm 1] [http://www.bibleonly.org/proph/dan/AE.html 2], but there is disagreement on the issue[http://www.tribwatch.com/antiochus.htm].

== External link ==
*[http://www.freewebs.com/rex_gentivm/fourtalesofblood.htm The Deaths of Antiochus, Razias, and Nicanor, by Bede]

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{{succession box|title=[[Seleucid Empire|Seleucid King]]|before=[[Seleucus IV Philopator]]|after=[[Antiochus V Eupator]]|years=175–163 BC}}
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{{Credit wikipedia}}

[[Category:215 BC births]]
[[Category:163 BC deaths]]
[[Category:Pharaohs]]
[[Category:Seleucid rulers|Antiochus 04]]

Antiochus IV Epiphanes - Revision history

Irlandos at 11:13, July 15, 2006