Antiochus III

known as Antiochus the Great

(born 242—died 187 BC, near Susa, Iran) Seleucid king of the Syrian empire (223–187 BC). After quelling a rebellion by Achaeus, his governor in Asia Minor (213), Antiochus marched east to India (212–205). He forged a peaceful alliance with Armenia and forcible ones with Parthia and Bactria, stilling resistance to his campaign. After the death of Ptolemy IV, Antiochus and Philip V of Macedonia divided most of his empire, Antiochus taking the southern and eastern lands, including Palestine (circa 202). He then marched against Egypt, concluding a peace in 195, through which he acquired southern Syria and Ptolemy's territories in Asia Minor. Rome grew angry with Antiochus after he admitted Hannibal of Carthage to his court; when Antiochus took a force to defend the Aetolians against Rome, Rome struck against him, eventually defeating him at Magnesia (189). He gave up lands in Europe and western Asia Minor but kept Syria, Mesopotamia, and western Iran. He was murdered while exacting much-needed tribute near Susa.

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Antiochus is the name of thirteen kings of the Seleucid Empire:

• Antiochus I Soter
• Antiochus II Theos
• Antiochus III the Great
• Antiochus IV Epiphanes
• Antiochus V Eupator
• Antiochus VI Dionysus
• Antiochus VII Sidetes
• Antiochus VIII Grypus
• Antiochus IX Cyzicenus
• Antiochus X Eusebes
• Antiochus XI Epiphanes
• Antiochus XII Dionysus
• Antiochus XIII Asiaticus
• Antiochus was the father of Seleucus I Nicator, founder of the Seleucid Empire

It is also the name of Antiochus Hierax, the rebel brother of Seleucus II Callinicus

Antiochus is also the name of rulers and various princes of the small middle-eastern kingdom of Commagene:

Kings of Commagene

• Antiochus I Theos of Commagene
• Antiochus III of Commagene
• Antiochus IV of Commagene, who ruled during the time of Caligula

Princes of Commagene

• Antiochus II of Commagene
• Gaius Julius Archelaus Antiochus Epiphanes
• Gaius Julius Antiochus Epiphanes Philopappos

Antiochus is also a common name in Ancient Greece, referring to: philosophers:

• Antiochus of Ascalon, philosopher born late second c. B.C.; died c. 68/67 B.C.. skeptic and member of Plato's Academy
• Antiochus of Athens (1st or 2nd century), philosopher and astrologer.
• Antiochus of Syracuse historian (~423 BC)

Other early bearers of the name Antiochus in Ancient Greece include:

• Antiochus of Dodona 6th c.BC (oldest evidence of the name)
• Antiochus king of Orestis (region) (429/8 BC) (Thucydides 2.80.6)
• Antiochus Athenian admiral of Alcibiades (~407 BC)
• Antiochus Arcadian ambassador and pankratiast (~367 BC)

Antiochus is also the name of some Christian saints (see Saint Antiochus).

References

• Antiochus Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology