Antiochus

Antiochus was name of eight Seleucid kings of Syria of the dynasty of the Seleucidæ. Most notable among them were:

Antiochus I the Soter, i. e. the Saviour, was son of one of Alexander's generals, fell heir of all Syria, and ruled as a king from 281 to 261 BC.

Antiochus II the Theos, i. e. God, being such to the Milesians in slaying the tyrant Timarchus. He ruled as a king from 261 to 246.

Antiochus III the Great (c. 242-187 BC), restored, extended and consolidated the Seleucid empire, gave harbour to Hannibal, declared war against Rome, was defeated at Thermopylæ and by Scipio at Magnesia, killed in attempting to pillage the temple at Elymaïs. He reigned as a king from 223 to 187 BC.

Antiochus IV the Epiphanes, i. e. the Illustrious (c. 215-163 BC), was son of Antiochus III, who failed against Egypt, tyrannised over the Jews, provoked the Maccabæan revolt, and died delirious. He reigned as a king from 175 to 163 BC. His attempt to Hellenize the Jews resulted in the revival of Jewish nationalism.

Antiochus V the Eupator, reigned as a king from 163 to 161 BC.