Seleucus IV Philopator (Greek: Σέλευκος Δ΄ Φιλοπάτωρ; c. 218 – 3 September 175 BC),Encyclopædia Britannica, Vol. 20 (1973), p. 190 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).
Biography
Birth and family
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 Antiochus, Demetrius I Soter and a daughter Laodice V. Seleucid conflict with Rome
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.
Reign
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.
Death
In 175 BC, Seleucus was assassinated by Heliodorus, one of his leading bureaucrats, who was then replaced by Antiochus IV with support from Pergamon, which was concerned about Rome following recent disputes.
In the Judeo-Christian tradition
thumb|Silver tetradrachm of Seleukos IV Philipator struck at the Antioch mint.
The only known portraits of him are on coinage, and the biggest of the coins he struck, were on tetradrachms - these were large 4 drachm denominations of pure silver, weighing about 16-17 grams.
Above is a nearly uncirculated example.
(SLF Collection).
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";: New International Version the collector is also referred to as an "extortioner" (Jerusalem Bible) or an "exactor of tribute" (Revised Standard Version).
Ancestry
See also
List of Syrian monarchs
Timeline of Syrian history
References
External links
Seleucus IV Philopator entry in historical sourcebook by Mahlon H. Smith
