Seleucus VI Epiphanes

Successor of: Antiochus VIII Grypus

Relatives:

• Father: Antiochus VIII Grypus
• Mother: Cleopatra V Selene

• During the reign of Seleucus' father, Antiochus VIII Grypus, the latter's brother Antiochus IX Cyzicenus revolted; both sides were able to maintain their ground but unable to overcome the other side.
• Summer 96: Death of Antiochus VIII Grypus. His wife Cleopatra V Selene marries her brother-in-law in order to put an end to the conflict.
• However, her son Seleucus VI Epiphanes accepts the throne and continues his family branch, which controls the northern part of the kingdom.
• Early 95: Seleucus meets his uncle in battle. He defeats Antiochus IX, but again, the empire is not reunited: the son of Antiochus IX, Antiochus X Eusebes Philopator, becomes leader of the southern branch and continues the struggle
• Running out of silver, Seleucus mints emergency coinage of poor quality
• Summer 94: Antiochus X besieges Seleucus VI at Mopsuestia in Cilicia, and kills his cousin, who is burned alive

Sources:

• Appian of Alexandria, Syrian Wars, 69
• Flavius Josephus, Jewish Antiquities, 13.366-368

Literature

• O. Hoover, 'Revised Chronology for the Late Seleucids at Antioch (121/0-64 BC)' in: Historia 65/3 (2007) 280-301