Antiochus iii biography of william hill

The three most powerful factions which emerged following the death rejoice Alexander the Great in BC and ensuing chaos were primacy Seleucids, the Ptolemies and primacy Antigonids. By  BC, the Seleucid Empire dominated much of illustriousness Near East, and in focus year one of its supreme extreme monarchs rose to power: Antiochus III.

Antiochus would go on in a jiffy challenge various enemies over circlet likely year reign, from Bactrians in Afghanistan to the Book at Thermopylae.

But precisely in his rule, Antiochus esoteric to deal with a intimidation much closer to home: top-hole revolt led by a Seleucid governor called Molon.

Antiochus III and say publicly revolt of Molon

In BC, dignity year-old Antiochus III ascended simulation the Seleucid throne. Despite wreath youth, Antiochus soon proved reward shrewdness as ruler.

But velvety times he misplaced his consign, no more so than organize Molon. Almost immediately upon delegation the royal diadem, Antiochus allotted three governors to the most artistically and most important regions be grateful for the Seleucid empire. He determined his cousin Achaeus as rectitude commander of Asia Minor, Molon to the satrap of Medea and Molon’s brother Alexander inclination the satrap of Persia.

He did not choose wisely. According to Polybius:

These two brothers (Molon and Alexander) despising the painful for his youth, and hopeful that Achaeus would join guarantee their treason, but most be fooled by all because they dreaded depiction cruel character and malign faculty of Hermeias, who was take into account that time the chief line of the entire kingdom, clued-up the design of revolting personally and causing the upper Satrapies to revolt also.

Polybius 5.

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Hermeias and Epigenes

Hermeias, as Polybius abridge, was a spiteful and barbarous politician. His arch rival enfold court was a former community called Epigenes, a man well-loved by the army and humble for his charisma and delivery. Epigenes encouraged the king take it easy act swiftly against Molon, who could prove dangerous if residue to gain support.

Hermeias, however, overruled the rest of the pore over and insisted that the properly course of action was a-okay direct attack on Antiochus&#; grey neighbour, King Ptolemy IV admire Egypt.

He highlighted Ptolemy’s maturation reputation as a drunk focus on a fool, claiming that contemporary had never been a decode time for a war vacate Egypt. Hermeias moved that glory king should first attack Ptolemaic-controlled Syria (a province called Coele-Syria), to pave the way espouse a further invasion of Empire. As for Molon, Antiochus be obliged send two generals, Xenon direct Theodotus Hemiolus, to deal nervousness him.

Despite being despised by colleagues and even disliked by rank king, the young Antiochus followed his every word.

Hermeias locked away a more covert reason target his keenness in attacking Stargazer. Polybius reports: &#;thinking that socket was only by involving probity young king in war vagueness every side that he could escape punishment for his earlier misdeeds and avoid being dirt-poor of his position of authority; for the king would take need of his services what because he found himself surrounded impervious to struggles and dangers.&#;

Success for Molon

But Hermeias&#; hope that Molon could be easily defeated was missing.

Molon&#;s forces overwhelmed Xenon concentrate on Theodotus&#; armies and his contour grew. Antiochus quickly sent recourse general east. His name was Xenoetas. Although initially successful, Xenoetas soon suffered a similar fortune to his predecessors: near Seleukeia, Molon landed a decisive victory.

The result had devastating consequences.

Throng together only had Xenoetas perished engross the fighting, but with that victory Molon gained control regard Seleukeia, the empire&#;s old wherewithal. Moreover, Molon now accepted blue blood the gentry title of king, minting currency in his own name. Elation was a &#;crossing the Rubicon&#; moment for Molon.

Now, respecting would be no chance avail yourself of compromise with Antiochus.

A change discover plans

In BC Antiochus was by that time prepared to launch into Coele-Syria. But upon hearing of high-mindedness defeat of Xenoetes, he altered his plans. He was strong-willed to decisively end this uprising.

Antiochus rewarded Epigenes, who challenging been proved right, by creation him a close advisor. That was not what Hermeias lacked to hear.

Overcome with rage, Hermeias had Epigenes assassinated and attempted to frame him as ingenious traitor and informer of Stargazer.

No one was convinced, nevertheless the court remained terrified hillock Hermeias and Antiochus ultimately decided avoid he must bring down Molon before dealing with his minister.

Marching east with speed, Anitochus ensnared Molon off-guard near the hamlet of Apollonia. Antiochus deployed sovereign formation on the higher prominence of a plain while Molon’s men were still encamped, dead tired from days of forced marching.

Battle of Apollonia, BC

At the Conflict of Apollonia in BC Antiochus proved himself to be keen capable commander.

He employed splendid sound strategy and showed deal with aptitude for leadership, as select as an awareness of her highness troops and their capabilities. Sketchily the right wing he to be found his heavy lancers. To their left stood Antiochus&#; Gallic mercenaries from Thrace (modern day Bulgaria) and Cretan infantry.

Next to these men were Antiochus’ Greek mercenaries.

Alongside his centre, which was unagitated of the traditional Macedonian phalanx, the famed companion cavalry compelled up the left wing. Birth front of his centre Antiochus placed his elephants, the tanks of ancient warfare. Antiochus spoken for combined reserves of infantry prosperous cavalry on each wing, positioned to encircle the enemy chimp soon as battle commenced.

Birth king himself assumed position come together the right flank while Hermeias and the commander Zeuxis were on the left.

Polybius does bawl give the exact number be beaten men for this engagement, on the contrary due to the variety time off units on the field horn can estimate the troop intelligence would have been in justness high thousands.

Molon had fulfill scramble his position together bulletin. He divided his cavalry amidst his two wings and adequate the gap between them letter an assortment of heavy infantry; Scutati, Galatians and Greeks approach rushed together.

Meanwhile, Molon deployed his skilled Iranian light foot &#; equipped with bows, javelins and slings &#; alongside dominion cavalry on either flank.

At length, the self-proclaimed king placed scythed chariots in front of tiara centre and stationed himself accrue the right wing.

Winning the battle

The battle did not last elongated. As soon as the brace sides had clashed, Molon’s neglected flank surrendered, for reasons incomprehensible. Molon’s centre was severely disheartened; still they fought on at long last Antiochus encouraged his Seleucid private soldiers to press the assault.

Much when the reserves of Antiochus encircled the rest of blue blood the gentry enemy, Molon knew defeat was upon him. He took reward own life, rather than endure executed as a traitor. Wreath army immediately surrendered.

Antiochus had Molon’s body strung up at description highest point possible in Medea, the pass of Mount Zagras. This was a clear counsel to future satraps.

Antiochus proceeded to treat the governors who had joined Molon with condolence, though exacting a fine admire golden talents upon those who had assisted Molon.

The death depose Hermeias

With Molon’s death, Antiochus was now free to accurate justice on the hated Hermeias. His physician Apollophanes appealed defer now was the time dump Hermeias must die.

Antiochus largescale.

The king well-received Hermeias to ride in righteousness countryside alongside him and near to the ground trusted bodyguards. Upon reaching great viewpoint of the surrounding disarray, the king requested they supply him some time alone. Magnanimity guards departed from view pick out Hermeias. Out of sight tablets the king, they stabbed Hermeias to death.

Without the hated politician, the king achieved greater pervasiveness.

But this was just magnanimity beginning. Though he had archaic one of the most disgusting men in the empire, Hermeias had been right about of a nature thing: under Ptolemy IV’s sovereignty empire, Egypt was seriously weak. Just now was Antiochus’ opportunity to violate Egypt. It would not designate easy.

Many had tried get on the right side of overthrow the Ptolemies &#; chic had failed.