Diodotus Tryphon
Diodotus Tryphon | |
---|---|
Basileus of the Seleucid Empire | |
Reign | 142–138 BC |
Predecessor | Antiochus VI Dionysus |
Successor | Antiochus VII Sidetes |
Born | Casiana (modern-day Şanlıurfa, Turkey) |
Died | 138 BC Apamea (now Şanlıurfa, Turkey) |
Diodotus Tryphon (
Diodotus Tryphon is unique in the history of the Seleucid empire, as the only rebel from outside the dynasty to gain control of the whole kingdom. Other rebels had claimed the throne, such as Molon and Timarchus, but they never succeeded in bringing the whole realm under their control and both were defeated within a year of declaring themselves kings. By contrast, Tryphon held power for over seven years from his rebellion in 144 BC until his death in 138 BC.
Life
Generalship and regency
Diodotus was originally from
- Revolt against Demetrius II
As Demetrius II secured himself on the throne, he began to eliminate former associates of Alexander Balas.
Diodotus and Antiochus were initially ignored by Demetrius who had to consolidate his power and was also faced with financial troubles.[9][10] Utilising the discontent against the ruling regime Diodotus gathered a large army at his headquarters in Chalcis ad Belum. Eventually, Demetrius marched against them but he was defeated in battle, after which Diodotus gained control of Apamea and Antioch.[11] Numismatic evidence indicates that Apamea was taken in early 144 and Antioch in late 144 or early 143.[12][13]
Diodotus, in the name of the boy-king Antiochus VI, controlled most of Inland Syria, including Antioch, Apamea, Larisa and Chalcis. Demetrius on the other hand based himself in Seleucia Pieria and retained control of many of the Syrian and Phoenician coastal cities and Cilicia.[14] Mesopotamia continued to recognise Demetrius as well and an invasion of the region by Diodotus in mid-144 seems to have been a failure.[15] Territories further east, such as Susa and Elymais were conquered by the Parthians, who eventually took control of Mesopotamia as well in mid-141 BC.[16]
- Intervention in Judaea
At the same time Diodotus made diplomatic overtures to the Jews under
In the same year an army of Tryphon's routed a pro-Demetrius force under Sarpedon between Ptolemais and Tyre, but as they were marching along the coast in pursuit, a great tidal wave wiped out the army, according to Athenaeus.[22]
Kingship
In late 142 or early 141 BC, Antiochus VI Dionysus died, supposedly during a medical operation; most ancient sources accuse Diodotus of having had the young king murdered. Diodotus convinced the army to elect him king.[23]
- Royal titles and representation
As king, Diodotus used the name Tryphon Autocrator. 'Tryphon' referred to the Hellenistic royal virtue of tryphe (luxury). Tryphe was sometimes a negative attribute, implying softness, but could also be a positive virtue, advertising the ruler's wealth and ability to reward his subjects. The epithet Autokrator is unique; it is not attested for any other Greek ruler from this period. Edwyn Bevan argued that this epithet was intended to recall the Macedonian kings Philip II and Alexander the Great, who had held the title of Strategos Autokrator as elected leaders of the Greek forces against Persia. In Bevan's view this reference indicated Tryphon's election as king by the 'free Greco-Macedonian states of Syria'.[24] Boris Chrubasik argues that Tryphon took the epithet in imitation of the Parthian rulers and to emphasise his independence from his predecessors (the term Autokrator literally means 'ruling (by) himself'). The martial overtones of it perhaps served to counter the implications of softness that sometimes were associated with tryphe.[25]
There is no sign that Tryphon considered himself to be part of the Seleucid dynasty. On the contrary, he emphasised the break with his Seleucid predecessors through his unusual title, as well as the iconography of his coinage. His coins depicts him in a mature guise, with a rather fat face and long flowing hair - emphasising the luxuriousness implied by the name Trypon. The reverse side of his coins depict an elaborately decorated
In order to secure Roman recognition of his kingship, Tryphon sent a golden statue of the goddess
- War against Demetrius II and Antiochus VII
Once he was king, Tryphon expanded his control to at least Ptolemais-Akke and Dor.[28] Demetrius, meanwhile, had journeyed east in 139/8 to fight the Parthians, who had seized control of Mesopotamia the previous year. He was defeated and captured by them July or August of 138 BC, leaving Tryphon as uncontested ruler of the remaining Seleucid territories.[29]
Almost immediately, however, Demetrius' brother, Antiochus VII Sidetes took up the conflict against Tryphon. He declared himself King Antiochus Euergetes, left his home in Rhodes, and landed in Phoenicia in the face of staunch resistance.[30] He married the wife of Demetrius, Cleopatra Thea, further legitimizing his position. Numismatic evidence shows that many coastal cities remained loyal to Tryphon, but that Sidon and Tyre immediately attached themselves to Antiochus' cause.[31] Antiochus also successfully won over Simon Thassi by confirming and augmenting the grants made by his brother.[32]
Antiochus defeated Tryphon in battle and took control of Antioch by the middle of 138 BC. He moved south to the fortress-city of Dor, where he was besieged.[33] From there he escaped by sea to Orthosia and made his way to his home-region of Apamea, where he was besieged again. He died in late 138 or early 137 BC.[34] Some sources say he was captured and executed, others that he committed suicide.[35]
See also
References
- ISBN 978-1-5267-6749-3.
- ^ Strabo 16.2.10
- ^ Diodorus 33.3.
- ^ 1 Maccabees 11. 13; Josephus AJ 13.113–15.
- ^ a b Chrubasik 2016, pp. 133–4
- DiodorusBibliotheca 33.4.2
- ^ 1 Maccabees 11:39: New Revised Standard Version
- ^ 1 Maccabees 11.39-40; Josephus AJ 13.131, 144
- ^ Diodorus Bibliotheca 33.4.2–3; I Maccabees 11.45–50; Josephus AJ 13.137–41
- ^ Chrubasik 2016, pp. 135–6
- ^ Diodoros Bibliotheca 33.4a; 1 Maccabees 11.55-56; Josephus AJ 13.144
- ^ Houghton, Arthur (1992). "The Revolt of Tryphon and the Accession of Antiochos VI at Apamea". Schweizerische Numismatische Rundschau. 71: 119–141.
- ^ Chrubasik 2016, pp. 136–7
- ^ Livy Periochae 52; Josephus AJ 13.145
- Astronomical DiariesIII 143 A flake 20–1
- ^ Chrubasik 2016, p. 137 n. 50 & 51
- ^ I Maccabees 11.57-59; Josephus AJ 13.145-148
- ^ I Maccabees 13.12–24; Josephus AJ 13.203–18.
- ^ Chrubasik 2016, pp. 137–8
- ^ I Maccabees 13.35-49
- ^ Chrubasik 2016, pp. 139–140
- ^ Athenaeus 8.333
- ^ I Maccabees 13.31; Diodorus 33.28; Livy 55.11; App. Syr. 68; Justin 36.7; Josephus 13.128; Chrubasik 2016, pp. 138 n. 58, 139
- ^ Bevan, The House of Seleucus, Vol.II, p.302
- ^ Chrubasik 2016, p. 139
- ^ Chrubasik 2016, pp. 157–60
- ^ Diodorus 33.28a; Chrubasik 2016, p. 139
- ^ Bevan, ‘The House of Seleucus’, Vol.II, p.230-231
- FGrH 260 F32.16; van der Spek, Robertus (August 1997). "New Evidence from the Babylonian Astronomical Diaries Concerning Seleucid and Asarcid Chronology". Archiv für Orientforschung. 44/45: 172.; Chrubasik 2016, p. 140
- ^ Josephus AJ 13.222
- ^ Chrubasik 2016, p. 140
- ^ I Maccabees 15.5-9; Chrubasik 2016, p. 141.
- ^ 1 Maccabees 15.10-38
- ^ Josephus AJ 13.223
- ^ Execution: Josephus AJ 13.223; Appian Syrian Wars 68. Suicide: Strabo 14.5.2; George Syncellus 351.18-19.
Bibliography
- Primary
- Polybius, Histories
- Periochae of Livy, Ab Urbe Condita Libri LV
- Strabo, Geographica
- Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews (AJ) XIII
- Appian, Syrian Wars
- Justin, Epitome of the Philippic History of Pompeius Trogus XXXVI
- Diodorus Siculus, Bibliotheca historica XXXII
- deutero-canonicalbiblical text
- Secondary
- Bevan, Edwyn Robert (1902). The House of Seleucus.</ref>
- Sherwin-White, Susan; Kuhrt, Amelie (1993). From Samarkhand to Sardis: A new approach to the Seleucid Empire.
- Grainger, John D. (1997). A Seleukid Prosopography and Gazetter.
- Chrubasik, Boris (2016). Kings and Usurpers in the Seleukid Empire: The Men who would be King. Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780198786924.