Antiochus VII Sidetes

Abt 164 BCE - 160 BCE

• Name	Antiochus VII Sidetes
  Birth	Abt 164 BCE  [1]
  General Information	He was also known as Antiochus VII Euergetes. He was the last Seleucid king of any stature. After Antiochus was killed in battle, the Seleucid realm was restricted to Syria.  [1]
  History	From 164 BCE to 129 BCE
  July/August 138 - With his brother captured, he assumed the throne. [1] 134 BCE - He laid siege to Jerusalem in 134 BC. During the siege he allowed a seven-day truce for the Jews to celebrate a religious festival, impressing the Jewish leadership.[5] According to Josephus[6] the Hasmonean leader John Hyrcanus opened King David's sepulchre and removed three thousand talents, which he then paid Antiochus to spare the city. Nevertheless, King Antiochus' respectful treatment of the Jews, and respect for their religion, earned him their gratitude and added name Euergetes ("the Benefactor"). With no Jewish sources of that time (the Book of Maccabees ends a few years before his time), it is unclear if the siege of Jerusalem ended with a decisive Seleucid victory or simply a peace treaty. Furthermore, Jewish forces later assisted Antiochus in his wars, and for nearly 20 years after his death, John Hyrcanus refrained from attacking areas under Seleucid control. [see picture below] 125 BCE - With his brother Assassinated, he became the sole ruler. [1]
  Death	160 BCE  [1]
  In the winter of 130–129 BCE, several Median towns rose in rebellion and attacked their Seleucid garrisons. Antiochus marched to support one such isolated garrison with only a small force (probably only his Royal Guards). In a barren valley, he was ambushed and killed in the Battle of Ecbatana by Phraates II and a large force of Parthians, who had entered the country without being detected. After the battle the Parthians claimed that Antiochus killed himself because of fear. Most Greco-Roman historians state that he died in battle. Appian, however, states that he did commit suicide. [1]
  Siblings	1 brother
  + 1. Demetrius II Nicator, King of Syria,   b. 165 BCE   d. 125 BCE ▻ Cleopatra Thea;   Rhodogunde, Parthian Princess + 2. Antiochus VII Sidetes,   b. Abt 164 BCE   d. 160 BCE ▻ Cleopatra Thea
  Patriarch & Matriarch	Seleucius   (7 x Great Grandfather)  Laodice V  (Mother)
  Person ID, Branch	I9725
  Last Modified	13 Jul 2021

  
  

  Father	Demetrius I Soter, King of the Seleucid Empire,   b. 186 BCE   d. 150 BCE
  Relationship	Birth
  Mother	Laodice V
  Relationship	Birth
  Family ID	F6632	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Spouse / Partner	Cleopatra Thea,   b. Abt 164 BCE   d. 121 BCE  Other Partners: Alexander Bales, King of Syria  m. Abt 150 BCE;   Demetrius II Nicator, King of Syria  m. Abt 145 BCE
  Marriage	yes, date unknown  [2]
  Children	3 sons and 1 daughter
  1. Antiochus IX Cyzicenus  [Father: Birth]  [Mother: Birth]     2. Antiochus  [Father: Birth]  [Mother: Birth]     3. Seleucus  [Father: Birth]  [Mother: Birth]     4. Laodice  [Father: Birth]  [Mother: Birth]
  Family ID	F8619	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
  Last Modified	13 Jul 2021

  
  

• Pedigree

  ← Click to display 1Antiochus VII Sidetes(Abt 164 BCE – 160 BCE) 2Demetrius I Soter, King of the Seleucid Empire(186 BCE – 150 BCE) 4Seleucus IV Philopator, Basileus of the Seleucid Empire 8Antiochus III Megas, Basileus of the Seleucid Empire(242 BCE – 187 BCE) 16Seleucus II Callinius, King of Syria(265 BCE – 226 BCE) 17Laodice II 9Laodice III 18Mithradates II, King of Pontus(Abt 260 BCE – 220 BCE) 19Laodice II(260 BCE – ) 5Laodice IV, Queen of the Seleucid Empire(223 BCE – Abt 162 BCE) 10Antiochus III Megas, Basileus of the Seleucid Empire(242 BCE – 187 BCE) 20Seleucus II Callinius, King of Syria(265 BCE – 226 BCE) 21Laodice II 11Laodice III 22Mithradates II, King of Pontus(Abt 260 BCE – 220 BCE) 23Laodice II(260 BCE – ) 3Laodice V 6 12 24 25 13 26 27 7 14 28 29 15 30 31

  
  

• Photos

  
  

• Sources 🟢 Primary Evidence 🟡 Secondary Evidence 🟠 Tertiary Evidence 🔴 Unreliable Evidence

  [S304] Wikipedia, Antiochus VII Sidetes. [S304] Wikipedia, Ptolemy VI Philometor.