Busacca Gallery

Seleucid Kings, Antiochos VII, 138-129 BC. AR Tetradrachm. 31 mm, 16.01 g. Head of Antiochos VII right / Athena standing with Nike. Choice EF. Sharp. This beautiful and very collectible coin is valued at over $1,500, and we will verify its availability upon your price inquiry. At BusaccaGallery.com, we vet all customers for transactions over $5,000 to ensure a secure and satisfactory experience for both parties. Please read the innovative story and watch the informative video we provide for each piece of these highly collectible works of art. Antiochos VII, also known as Antiochos VII Euergetes or Antiochos VII Sidetes, was a significant ruler of the Seleucid Empire, reigning from 138 to 129 BC. He was the son of Demetrius I Soter and brother of Demetrius II Nicator, both of whom were also Seleucid kings. His reign marks one of the last significant efforts to restore the fading power of the Seleucid Empire. Early Life and Ascension to the Throne Antiochos VII was born into a turbulent time for the Seleucid dynasty, which was plagued by internal strife, rival claimants to the throne, and external threats. When his brother, Demetrius II, was captured by the Parthians around 138 BC, Antiochos VII emerged as a strong contender for the throne. He was proclaimed king and immediately set about trying to stabilize the empire. Reign and Military Campaigns. One of Antiochos VII's primary objectives was to restore the territories lost by the Seleucid Empire. He launched a campaign against the Parthians to reclaim lands in Mesopotamia and Persia, achieving initial successes. His efforts earned him the nickname "Euergetes," meaning "the Benefactor." In 132 BC, Antiochos VII led a successful campaign to retake Judaea, which had been under the control of the Hasmonean leader John Hyrcanus. After a lengthy siege of Jerusalem, a peace treaty was negotiated that reasserted Seleucid control over the region while allowing the Jews a degree of autonomy. Antiochos VII also sought to restore the empire's finances and infrastructure, which had suffered during the preceding years of turmoil. His reign was marked by attempts to reassert central authority and restore the grandeur of the Seleucid state.

Conflict with the Parthians and Death / Antiochos VII's most ambitious campaign was against the Parthian Empire, which had become the dominant power in the eastern territories once controlled by the Seleucids. In 130 BC, he launched an extensive military campaign against the Parthians, initially achieving significant victories and even recapturing Babylon. However, his success was short-lived. The Parthian king, Phraates II, regrouped and launched a counteroffensive. Antiochos VII was eventually defeated in battle and killed in 129 BC. His death marked a significant blow to the Seleucid Empire, which never fully recovered from the loss. The defeat also led to the further fragmentation and decline of Seleucid power, with much of the empire's remaining territory falling under the control of local rulers or foreign powers. Legacy Antiochos VII is often regarded as the last strong ruler of the Seleucid dynasty. His reign represented a final attempt to restore the empire to its former glory, but his efforts were ultimately undone by the growing strength of rival powers, particularly the Parthians. After his death, the Seleucid Empire continued to decline, eventually becoming little more than a minor state before its final dissolution. Despite his failure to fully restore the empire, Antiochos VII's reign is remembered for its military vigor and his attempts to centralize and strengthen the Seleucid state during a period of significant decline.