Seleukeia on the Tigris, 281-261 BC
Diademed head to right / Apollo Delphios seated to left on omphalos, testing arrow and resting left hand on grounded bow; ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ to right, ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ to left, monogram to outer left and right.
SC 379.5a; HGC 9, 128g. 16.80g, 29mm, 3h.
The Seleukid coins are among my favorites for their designs, and this one is no slouch (though my favorite is with Seleukos I Nikator‘s war elephants). It kind of looks like Apollo is sitting on a big drum, almost like he’s a member of a marching band.
Antiochos I Soter is one of the latest (by date) in my Era of the Diadochi collection. His time was past those of the major diadochi, but he was still involved with enough of them to include him.
Perhaps the most interesting story about him revolves around Stratonike, who married Seleukos I Nikator. Antiochos fell in love with her, and surprisingly the situation was resolved in a bloodless manner. Seleukos, seeing that his son was lovesick for his wife, divorced her and had Antiochos marry her.
While one would hope she was also on board with the idea, she did bear him five children. Only one was later executed, so that was a successful progeny for the time. For comparison, Lysimachos executed two of his.
Another story involves an attack by Gauls. In general, Antiochos wasn’t the most feared of military generals, but he did unleash his war elephants and route them. Probably for that reason, many of his bronzes include elephants. Personally, I would have preferred to see the Gauls‘ faces upon seeing hundreds of war elephants headed their way.
Antiochos I Soter marries his stepmother Stratonike, after Seleukos divorces her for that purpose.
Birth of Antiochos II Theos to Stratonike and Antiochos I Soter.
Seleukos I Nikator is murdered by Ptolemy Keraunos while praying. Antiochos I Soter becomes king of the Seleukid Empire.
Antiochos I Soter is forced by a rebellion in Syria to make peace with Ptolemy Keraunos and give up Macedonia and Thrace.
City of Ai-Khanoum is founded by Antiochos I Soter.
Antiochos I Soter defeats the Gauls using Indian war elephants.
First Syrian War begins between Antiochos I Soter and Ptolemy II Philadelphos. It did not change either kingdom much.
Antiochos I Soter lays the foundations for the Ezida Temple in Borsippa.
Antiochos I Soter puts his eldest son Seleukos to death for rebellion.
June 2
Death of Antiochos I Soter.