v49_0434 - SIRIA - REGNO DI SIRIA - ANTIOCO VII SIDETES Tétradrachme

SYRIA - SELEUKID KINGDOM - ANTIOCHUS VII SIDETES

(138-129 BC)

Antiochus VII was the second son of Demetrius I and the brother of Demetrius II Nicator. His nickname Sidetes comes from the city of Side, where he was raised. He married his sister-in-law Cleopatra, the daughter of Ptolemy VI, after eliminating Tryphon who had had Antiochus VI Dionysus assassinated. During his reign, he had to fight against the Jews who had emancipated themselves and refused to pay tribute, and against his powerful Parthian neighbors who had captured his brother, Demetrius II Nicator. Defeated by the Parthians of Phraates II (138-127 AC.), he died during a brawl and left a son, the future Antiochus IX Cyzicene.