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Seleucus IV Philopator , 7th King of the Seleucid Empire
- Preferred Name: Seleucus IV Philopator , 7th King of the Seleucid Empire[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9]
- Gender: M
- Birth: 219 BC in Commagene, Syrian Arab Republic at LATI: N4.52 LONG: E7.57
- Clan Name: with note: Description: Dynasty: Seleucid
- MilitaryService: fought in the Battle of Magnesia alongside his fatherBET DEC 190 BC AND JAN 189 BC
- signed+the+Treaty+of+Apamea+ending+the+Roman–Seleucid+War: 188 BC with note: Description: between the Roman Republic and Antiochus III, ruler of the Seleucid Empire
- MilitaryService: assassinated by Heliodorus - one of his leading bureaucrats3 SEP 175 BC
- http://familysearch.org/v1/TitleOfNobility: Basileus of the Seleucid EmpireBET 3 JUL 187 BC AND 3 SEP 175 BC
- Death: 3 SEP 175 BC in Commagene, Syrian Arab Republic at LATI: N4.52 LONG: E7.57
- FSID: LDTL-CD5
- Notes:
=== Life Sketch ===
Seleucus IV Philopator (Greek: Σέλευκος Φιλοπάτωρ; c. 218 – 3 September 175 BC), ruler of the Hellenistic Seleucid Empire, reigned from 187 BC to 175 BC over a realm consisting of Syria (now including Cilicia and Judea), Mesopotamia, Babylonia and Nearer Iran (Media and Persia).
He was the second son and successor of Antiochus III the Great and Laodice III. Seleucus IV wed his sister Laodice IV, by whom he had three children: two sons Demetrius I Soter, Antiochus and a daughter Laodice V.
During the prelude to the Roman-Seleucid War, Seleucus was put in charge of the re-established colony of Lysimacheia by his father. Upon the outbreak of war, Seleucus commanded his own force, unsuccessfully besieging Pergamon, and taking the city of Phocaea before fighting in the Battle of Magnesia alongside his father. After their defeat at Magnesia, Seleucus was made co-regent in 189 BC and the Seleucids signed the Treaty of Apamea with Rome in 188 BC. As part of the treaty, Seleucus oversaw the supply of grain and scouts to Roman and Pergamene forces during their campaign against the Galatians.
In 187 BC, Antiochus died after looting the Temple of Bel in Elymaïs and Seleucus took over as Basileus. He renewed an alliance with the Achaean League, and almost joined in Pharnaces I's invasion of Galatia, before reconsidering and turning back. He also substituted his son Demetrius instead of his brother Antiochus IV as a hostage in Rome.
On September 3, 175 BC (137 SE), Seleucus was assassinated by Heliodorus, one of his leading bureaucrats. The ancient sources do not record a motive for this act; possibly it was simple lust for power, or possibly the sources misattributed the death to the one who gained the most from it. Heliodorus took over as regent, ruling on behalf of Seleucus IV's young child Antiochus. Heliodorus's reign as regent was brief, however; months later, he was replaced by Antiochus IV with support from Pergamon.
In the Judeo-Christian tradition
According to texts later included as scripture by Jews and Christians, Seleucus IV sent out Heliodorus in 187 BC on a tax-collecting mission after hearing an inflated report of the Temple's wealth. Helidorus attempted to raid the treasury of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, but was repelled by angelic beings in a miracle. This is recorded in the deuterocanonical book of 2 Maccabees, which takes a special interest in the Temple. It is also referred to obliquely in the Book of Daniel which states that Seleucus "will send out a tax collector to maintain the royal splendor"; the collector is also referred to as an "extortioner" (Jerusalem Bible) or an "exactor of tribute" (Revised Standard Version).
The kings themselves honored the place (Jerusalem) and glorified the temple with the finest presents, even to the extent that King Seleucus of Asia defrayed from his own revenues all the expenses connected with the service of the sacrifices. But a man named Simon (...) reported to him [Apollonius] the treasury in Jerusalem was full of untold sums of money, so that the amount of the funds could not be reckoned, and that they did not belong to the account of the sacrifices, but that it was possible for them to fall under the control of the king. When Apollonius met the king, he told him of the money about which he had been informed. The king chose Heliodorus, who was in charge of his affairs, and sent him with commands to effect the removal of the reported wealth.
— 2 Maccabees 3:2-4, 6-7 (NRSV)[16]
Seleucus IV Philopator
Seleucus IV Philopator, (born c. 217 BC—died 175 BC), seventh king (reigned 187–175 BC) of the Seleucid dynasty, son of Antiochus III the Great.
Although the empire that Seleucus inherited was not so
Preferred Parents:
Father: Antiochus III "The Great," Megas Basileus of the Seleucid Empire, b. 242 BC in Susa, Persia, Seleucid Empire d. 3 JUL 187 BC in Luristan, Persia, Seleucid Empire
Mother: Laodice of Pontus, Queen Consort of the Seleucid Empire III, b. 240 BC d. AFT 176 BC
Family 1: Laodice IV Seleucid, b. 222 BC in Bactria d. in Bab Ilu or Babylon, Mesopotamia, Now, Iraq
- Laodice Seleucid of Syria V, b. 183 BC d. 149 BC in Antioch
Sources:
- Title: Ancestry Family Trees
Author: Ancestry Family Trees
- Title: Wikiwand: Philopator
Publication: Name: https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Philopator;
- Title: Wikiwand: Seleucus IV Philopator
- Title: Wikiand: Kingdom of Commagene
Publication: Name: https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Kingdom_of_Commagene;
- Title: Seleucus Philopator
Publication: Name: https://www.myheritage.com/research/record-1-786872651-2-31684/seleucus-philopator-in-myheritage-family-trees?fspid=9HLV-JBX;
- Title: Wikiwand: List of rulers of Commagene
- Title: Seleucus I V Philopator Syria in the Web: Netherlands, GenealogieOnline Trees Index, 1000-2015
Author: Web: Netherlands, GenealogieOnline Trees Index, 1000-2015
Publication: Name: http://search.ancestry.com/collections/9289/records/25958788;
- Title: Seleucus I V Philopator Syria in the Web: Netherlands, GenealogieOnline Trees Index, 1000-2015
Author: Web: Netherlands, GenealogieOnline Trees Index, 1000-2015
Publication: Name: http://search.ancestry.com/collections/9289/records/25957940;
- Title: Wikiwand: Family Tree of the Royal Family of Commagene
Publication: Name: https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Royal_Family_of_Commagene;
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