Civilization: Seleucid Empire
Ruler: Antiochos IV Epiphanes
Mint: Antioch
Year: 175 - 164 BC
Composition: Bronze
Denomination: Chalkon
Diameter: 15.0mm
Weight: 3.26g
Reference:

Obverse
Radiate, diademed head of Antiochus IV, right

Reverse
Zeus standing left, holding thunderbolt and scepter. BAΣΙΛΕΩΣ / ANTIOXΟΥ / ΘEOY / EΠIΦANOYΣ

Antiochos IV Epiphanes reigned over the Seleucid Empire from 175 to 164 BCE, a period marked by ambitious reforms, grandiose projects, and escalating conflicts. The youngest son of Antiochos III the Great, he seized the throne under controversial circumstances after the murder of his nephew, Antiochos, son of Seleukos IV. Styling himself “Epiphanes” (the Manifest God), Antiochos IV sought to restore the Seleucid Empire’s power through military campaigns, centralization efforts, and cultural integration.

Antiochos IV’s reign is best known for his bold attempts to impose Hellenistic culture across his realm, particularly in Judea. His policies aimed at promoting Greek religion and practices antagonized traditionalists and sparked the Maccabean Revolt (167–160 BCE). His efforts to suppress Jewish religious practices, including the desecration of the Temple in Jerusalem and the installation of a pagan altar, deeply alienated the local population, leading to widespread rebellion. This conflict marked one of the earliest and most significant examples of resistance to forced cultural assimilation in the ancient world.

In addition to his domestic policies, Antiochos IV pursued ambitious foreign campaigns. His invasion of Egypt in 170 BCE, aimed at subjugating the Ptolemaic Kingdom, initially met with success. However, his plans for conquest were thwarted in 168 BCE when Roman envoys issued a decisive ultimatum at Eleusis, forcing him to withdraw. This humiliation underscored the growing influence of Rome in Hellenistic affairs and highlighted the waning power of the Seleucid Empire.

Antiochos IV’s reign was also characterized by monumental building projects, including the lavish expansion of the city of Antioch and the construction of the Olympieion in Athens. His policies, however, placed significant strain on the empire’s finances and deepened internal divisions. He died in 164 BCE during a campaign in the east, leaving the Seleucid Empire in a weakened and precarious state. His reign remains a symbol of both the grandeur and the volatility of the late Seleucid period.