111: The Seleucid Empire - The Elephant in the (Throne) Room
About this episode
This episode discusses the challenges faced by the Seleucid Empire following the death of Antiochus IV Epiphanes, including the Maccabean Revolt and the return of Prince Demetrius.
With Antiochus IV Epiphanes’ death in Persia, the throne passed to the boy-king Antiochus V Eupator and his standing regent Lysias in 164. Between the Maccabean Revolt, would-be usurpers, and arrogant Roman emissaries, few of the kingdom’s subjects had faith in the ruling pair. This was sensed by Prince Demetrius, the son of Seleucus IV held hostage in Rome, who escaped captivity with the aid of Polybius of Megalopolis and returned to Syria to reclaim his birthright. Episode Notes: (https://hellenisticagepodcast.wordpress.com/2025/10/14/111-the-seleucid-empire-the-elephant-in-the-throne-room/) Episode Transcript: (https://hellenisticagepodcast.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/111-the-seleucid-empire-the-elephant-in-the-throne-room-transcript.pdf) Social Media: Twitter (https://twitter.com/HellenisticPod) Facebook (www.facebook.com/hellenisticagepodcast/) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/hellenistic_age_podcast/) Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/hellenisticpod.bsky.social) Show Merchandise: Etsy (https://www.etsy.com/shop/HellenisticAgePod) Redbubble (https://www.redbubble.com/people/HellenisticPod/shop?asc=u) Donations: Patreon…
More episodes of The Hellenistic Age Podcast
- 120: The Seleucid Empire - Writing on the Wall
- 118: Graecia Capta - The Roman Conquest of Greece
- 117: Antigonid Macedon - The Vergina Sun Never Sets...
- 116: The Third Punic War - Dido's Lament
- 115: The Third Punic War - Delenda Est
- 114: The Nabataean Kingdom
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