Английская Википедия:Alexander II Zabinas

Alexander II Theos Epiphanes Nikephoros (Шаблон:Lang-grc Áléxandros Theós Épiphanḗs Nikēphóros, surnamed Zabinas; Шаблон:C. 150 BC – 123 BC) was a Hellenistic Seleucid monarch who reigned as the King of Syria between 128 BC and 123 BC. His true parentage is debated; depending on which ancient historian, he either claimed to be a son of Alexander I or an adopted son of Antiochus VII. Most ancient historians and the modern academic consensus maintain that Alexander II's claim to be a Seleucid was false. His surname "Zabinas" (Ζαβίνας) is a Semitic name that is usually translated as "the bought one". It is possible, however, that Alexander II was a natural son of Alexander I, as the surname can also mean "bought from the god". The iconography of Alexander II's coinage indicates he based his claims to the throne on his descent from Antiochus IV, the father of Alexander I.

Alexander II's rise is connected to the dynastic feuds of the Seleucid Empire. Both King Seleucus IV (d. 175 BC) and his brother Antiochus IV (d. 164 BC) had descendants contending for the throne, leading the country to experience many civil wars. The situation was complicated by Ptolemaic Egyptian interference, which was facilitated by the dynastic marriages between the two royal houses. In 128 BC, King Demetrius II of Syria, the representative of Seleucus IV's line, invaded Egypt to help his mother-in-law Cleopatra II who was engaged in a civil war against her brother and husband King Ptolemy VIII. Angered by the Syrian invasion, the Egyptian king instigated revolts in the cities of Syria against Demetrius II and chose Alexander II, a supposed representative of Antiochus IV's line, as an anti-king. With Egyptian troops, Alexander II captured the Syrian capital Antioch in 128 BC and warred against Demetrius II, defeating him decisively in 125 BC. The beaten king escaped to his wife Cleopatra Thea in the city of Ptolemais, but she expelled him. He was killed while trying to find refuge in the city of Tyre.

With the death of Demetrius II, Alexander II became the master of the kingdom, controlling the realm except for a small pocket around Ptolemais where Cleopatra Thea ruled. Alexander II was a beloved king, known for his kindness and forgiving nature. He maintained friendly relations with John I Hyrcanus of Judea, who acknowledged the Syrian king as his suzerain. Alexander II's successes were not welcomed by Egypt's Ptolemy VIII, who did not want a strong king on the Syrian throne. Thus, in 124 BC an alliance was established between Egypt and Cleopatra Thea, now ruling jointly with Antiochus VIII, her son by Demetrius II. Alexander II was defeated, and he escaped to Antioch, where he pillaged the temple of Zeus to pay his soldiers; the population turned against him, and he fled and was eventually captured. Alexander II was probably executed by Antiochus VIII in 123 BC, ending the line of Antiochus IV.

Background

Coin with Antiochus IV likeness on the obverse and the statue of a seated deity on the reverse

Tetrachalkon of Antiochus IV, possible grandfather of Alexander II

Coin with Antiochus VII likeness on the obverse and the statue of a standing deity on the reverse

Tetradrachm of Antiochus VII, Alexander II's alleged adoptive father

Coin with Demetrius II likeness on the obverse and the statue of a seated deity on the reverse

Tetradrachm of Demetrius II, Alexander II's opponent

Coin with Ptolemy VIII likeness on the obverse and the statue of an eagle on the reverse

Tetradrachm of Ptolemy VIII, Alexander II's patron

The death of the Seleucid king Seleucus IV in 175 BC created a dynastic crisis because of the illegal succession of his brother Antiochus IV. Seleucus IV's legitimate heir, Demetrius I, was a hostage in Rome,^{[note 1]} and his younger son Antiochus was declared king. Shortly after the succession of young Antiochus, however, Antiochus IV assumed the throne as a co-ruler.Шаблон:Sfn He may have had his nephew killed in 170/169 BC (145 SE (Seleucid year)).^{[note 2]}Шаблон:Sfn After Antiochus IV's death in 164 BC, his son Antiochus V succeeded him. Three years later Demetrius I managed to escape Rome and take the throne, killing Antiochus V in 161 BC.Шаблон:Sfn The Seleucid dynasty was torn apart by the civil war between the lines of Seleucus IV and Antiochus IV.Шаблон:Sfn

In 150 BC Alexander I, an illegitimate son of Antiochus IV,Шаблон:Sfn managed to dethrone and kill Demetrius I. He married Cleopatra Thea, the daughter of Ptolemy VI of Ptolemaic Egypt, who became his ally and supporter.Шаблон:Sfn The Egyptian king changed his policy and supported Demetrius I's son Demetrius II, marrying him to Cleopatra Thea after divorcing her from Alexander I, who was defeated by his former father in law and eventually killed in 145 BC. The Egyptian king was wounded during the battle and died shortly after Alexander I.Шаблон:Sfn His sister-wife and co-ruler, the mother of Cleopatra Thea, Cleopatra II, then married her other brother, Ptolemy VIII who became her new co-ruler.Шаблон:Sfn

Diodotus Tryphon, Alexander I's official, declared the latter's son Antiochus VI king in 144 BC. Tryphon then had him killed and assumed the throne himself in 142 BC.Шаблон:Sfn The usurper controlled lands in the western parts of the Seleucid empire, including Antioch,Шаблон:Sfn but Demetrius II retained large parts of the realm, including Babylonia, which was invaded by the Parthian Empire in 141 BC.Шаблон:Sfn This led Demetrius II to launch a campaign against Parthia which ended in his defeat and capture in 138 BC.Шаблон:Sfn His younger brother Antiochus VII took the throne and married Demetrius II's wife. He was able to defeat Tryphon and the Parthians, restoring the lost Seleucid provinces.Шаблон:Sfn

In Egypt, without divorcing Cleopatra II, Ptolemy VIII married her daughter by Ptolemy VI, Cleopatra III, and declared her co-ruler.^{[note 3]}Шаблон:Sfn Cleopatra II revolted and took control over the countryside. By September 131 BC, Ptolemy VIII lost recognition in the capital Alexandria and fled to Cyprus.Шаблон:Sfn The Parthians freed Demetrius II to put pressure on Antiochus VII, who was killed in 129 BC during a battle in Media.Шаблон:Sfn This opened the way for Demetrius II to regain his throne and wife Cleopatra Thea the same year.Шаблон:Sfn Ptolemy VIII returned to Egypt two years after his expulsion;Шаблон:Sfn he warred against his sister Cleopatra II, eventually besieging her in Alexandria; she then asked her son-in-law Demetrius II for help, offering him the throne of Egypt.Шаблон:Sfn The Syrian king marched against Egypt and by spring 128 BC, he reached Pelusium.Шаблон:Sfn

In response to Demetrius II's campaign, Ptolemy VIII incited a rebellion in Syria.Шаблон:Sfn The Syrian capital Antioch proclaimed a young son of Antiochus VII named Antiochus Epiphanes king, but the city was willing to change hands in such unstable political circumstances.Шаблон:Sfn Ptolemy VIII sent Alexander II as an anti-king for Syria, forcing Demetrius II to withdraw from Egypt.Шаблон:Sfn According to the third century historian Porphyry, in his history preserved in the work of his contemporary Eusebius, and also to the third century historian Justin, in his epitome of the Philippic Histories, a work written by the first century BC historian Trogus, Alexander II was a protégé of Ptolemy VIII.^{[note 4]}Шаблон:Sfn The first century historian Josephus wrote the Syrians themselves asked Ptolemy VIII to send them a Seleucid prince as their king, and he chose Alexander II.Шаблон:Sfn According to the Prologues of the Philippic Histories, the Egyptian king bribed Alexander II to oppose Demetrius II.^{[note 5]}Шаблон:Sfn

Parentage and name

Two coins. Reverses are shown. To the left, a coin of Antiochus IV depicting a seated Greek god, Zeus. On the right, a coin of Alexander II depicting the same god in the same position

Reverse of a tetradrachm minted by Antiochus IV (left) and the reverse of a gold stater minted by Alexander II (right)

Two coins. Obverses are shown. To the left, a coin of Alexander I depicting him wearing a headdress in the shape of a lion head. On the right, a coin of Alexander II depicting him wearing the same headdress

Alexander I (left) and Alexander II (right) wearing the lion scalp

Two coins. Obverses are shown. To the left, a coin of Antiochus VI depicting him wearing a headdress in the shape of sun rays. On the right, a coin of Alexander II depicting him wearing the same headdress

Antiochus VI (left) and Alexander II (right) wearing the radiate crown in the same manner

Alexander II was probably born in c. 150 BC.^{[note 6]}Шаблон:Sfn His name is Greek, meaning "protector of men".Шаблон:Sfn According to Justin, Alexander II was the son of an Egyptian trader named Protarchus.Шаблон:Sfn Justin also added that "Alexander" was a regnal name bestowed upon the king by the Syrians.Шаблон:Sfn Justin further stated that Alexander II produced a fabricated story claiming he was an adopted son of Antiochus VII.Шаблон:Sfn Porphyry presented a different account in which Alexander II was claimed to be the son of Alexander I.Шаблон:Sfn

Modern historic research prefers the detailed account of Justin regarding Alexander II's claims of paternity and his connection to Antiochus VII.Шаблон:Sfn However, a 125 BC series of gold staters minted by Alexander II had his epithets,Шаблон:Sfn the same ones used by King Antiochus IV, father of Alexander I, and arranged in the same order they had on Antiochus IV's coins. Zeus carrying a Nike is depicted on the reverse of the stater; the Nike is carrying a wreath which crowns the epithet Epiphanes, an element featured in Antiochus IV's coinage.Шаблон:Sfn Many themes of Antiochus IV's line appeared on Alexander II's coinage, such as the god Dionysus which was used by Alexander I in 150 BC,Шаблон:Sfn in addition to the lion scalp, another theme in Alexander I's coinage.Шаблон:Sfn Furthermore, Alexander II was depicted wearing the radiate crown; six rays protrude from the head and are not attached to the diadem, which is a theme that characterized all portraits of Antiochus VI when depicted wearing the radiate crown.Шаблон:Sfn Based on those arguments, the account of Porphyry regarding Alexander II's claim of descent from Alexander I should be preferred to the account of Justin.Шаблон:Sfn Шаблон:Sfn Шаблон:Sfn

Surname and legitimacy

Popular surnames of Seleucid kings are never found on coins, but are handed down only through ancient literature.Шаблон:Sfn The surname of Alexander II has different spellings; it is "Zabinaeus" in the prologue of the Latin language Philippic Histories, book XXXIX. "Zebinas" was used by Josephus. The Greek rendition, Zabinas, was used by many historians such as Diodorus Siculus and Porphyry.Шаблон:Sfn Zabinas is a Semitic proper name,Шаблон:Sfn derived from the Aramaic verb זבן (pronounced Zabn), which means "buy" or "gain".Шаблон:Sfn Шаблон:Sfn The meaning of Zabinas as a surname of Alexander II is "a slave sold in the market" according to philologist Pierre Jouguet.Шаблон:Sfn This is based on a statement by Porphyry. He wrote that Alexander II was named Zabinas by the Syrians because he was a "bought slave".Шаблон:Sfn In the view of archaeologist Jean-Antoine Letronne, who agreed that Alexander II was an imposter, a coin meant for the public could not have had "Zabinas" inscribed on it as it is derisory.^{[note 7]}Шаблон:Sfn On the other hand, historian Philip Khuri Hitti noted that "Zebina", another rendering of Zabinas, occurs in Ezra (10:43), indicating it originally meant "bought from god".Шаблон:Sfn The numismatist Nicholas L. Wright also considered that Zabinas meant "purchased from the god".Шаблон:Sfn

Though academic consensus considers Alexander II an imposter of non-Seleucid birth,Шаблон:Sfn Josephus accepted the king as a Seleucid dynast but did not specify his connection to earlier kings.Шаблон:Sfn Historian Шаблон:Ill ascribed Josephus's acceptance to Alexander II's successful propaganda.Шаблон:Sfn Wright, however, contends that Alexander II should be considered a legitimate Seleucid and a descendant of Antiochus IV using the following arguments:Шаблон:Sfn

Porphyry's account of the adoption by Antiochus VII might be based on facts.Шаблон:Sfn Justin called Antiochus VI a step-son of Demetrius II.Шаблон:Sfn In Wright's view, this association between Antiochus VI and his father's enemy might be an indication that Demetrius II adopted Antiochus VI in an attempt to close the rift in the royal family. Likewise, it is possible Alexander II was indeed a son of Alexander I adopted by Antiochus VII. The second century historian Arrian spoke of an Alexander, the son of Alexander I, who was elevated to kingship by Tryphon in 145 BC; this passage is puzzling as it is numismatically proven that it was Antiochus VI whom Tryphon raised to the throne. According to Wright, the language of Arrian indicates he probably had access to sources mentioning Alexander II as a son of Alexander I.Шаблон:Sfn
Justin's account regarding Protarchos, the alleged Egyptian father of Alexander II, is illogical.Шаблон:Sfn Wright suggested Alexander II was an illegitimate son of Alexander I;Шаблон:Sfn it is probable Alexander II might have been a younger son of Alexander I destined to become a priest, hence he was called Zabinas—purchased from the god.Шаблон:Sfn It is dubious Alexander II was a low-born Egyptian man, whose claims to the throne were based on publicly known falsifications, yet he was accepted by the Syrians as their king.Шаблон:Sfn The story about Alexander II's Egyptian origin was probably invented by the court of Demetrius II, maintained by the court of his son Antiochus VIII, and kept alive by ancient historians due to its scandalous nature.Шаблон:Sfn

King of Syria

Ascending the throne

The young Antiochus Epiphanes likely died of an illness.Шаблон:Sfn Alexander II, whose earliest coins from the capital are dated to 184 SE (129/128 BC), probably landed in northern Syria with Ptolemaic support and declared himself king, taking Antioch in the process;Шаблон:Sfn the fall of the capital probably took place in spring 128 BC.Шаблон:Sfn According to Justin's epitome, the Syrians were ready to accept any king other than Demetrius II.Шаблон:Sfn Probably soon after capturing Antioch, Alexander II incorporated Laodicea ad mare and Tarsus into his domains.^{[note 8]} Other cities, such as Apamea, had already freed themselves from Demetrius II during his Egyptian campaign and did not come immediately under Alexander II's authority.Шаблон:Sfn

Epithets and royal image

Hellenistic kings did not use regnal numbers, which is a modern practice; instead, they used epithets to distinguish themselves from similarly named monarchs.Шаблон:Sfn Шаблон:Sfn The majority of Alexander II's coins did not feature an epithet,Шаблон:Sfn but the 125 BC series of gold staters bore the epithets Theos Epiphanes (god manifest) and Nikephoros (bearer of victory). Three bronze issues, one of them minted in Seleucia Pieria, are missing the epithet Theos but retain Epiphanes and Nikephoros.Шаблон:Sfn Those epithets, an echo of those of Antiochus IV's, served to emphasise the legitimacy of Alexander II as a Seleucid king.Шаблон:Sfn

Alexander the Great (d. 323 BC), founder of the Macedonian Empire, was an important figure in the Hellenistic world; his successors used his legacy to establish their legitimacy. Alexander the Great never had his image minted on his own coins,Шаблон:Sfn but his successors, such as the Ptolemaics, sought to associate themselves with him; cities were named after him, and his image appeared on coins.Шаблон:Sfn In contrast, the memory of Alexander the Great was not important for Seleucid royal ideology.^{[note 9]}Шаблон:Sfn Шаблон:Sfn However, Alexander I and Alexander II, both having Egyptian support, were the only Seleucid kings who paid particular attention to Alexander the Great by depicting themselves wearing the lion scalp, a motif closely connected to the Macedonian king.Шаблон:Sfn By associating himself with Alexander the Great, Alexander II was continuing the practice of Alexander I, who used the theme of Alexander the Great to strengthen his legitimacy.^{[note 10]}Шаблон:Sfn

Coin of Alexander II. On the obverse, the bust of the god Dionysus surrounded by ivy leaves is shown. On the reverse the statue of a standing winged Tyche is depicted

Coin minted by Alexander II depicting Dionysus on its obverse

The native Syro-Phoenician religious complex was based on triads that included a supreme god, a supreme goddess, and their son; the deities taking those roles were diverse. It is possible that by 145 BC Dionysus took the role of the son.Шаблон:Sfn The Levant was a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural region, but the religious complex was a unifying force. The Seleucid monarchs understood the possibility of using this complex to expand their support base amongst the locals by integrating themselves into the triads.Шаблон:Sfn Usage of the radiate crown, a sign of divinity, by the Seleucid kings, probably carried a message: that the king was the consort of Atargatis, Syria's supreme goddess.^{[note 11]}Шаблон:Sfn The radiate crown was utilised for the first time at an unknown date by Antiochus IV, who chose Hierapolis-Bambyce, the most important sanctuary of Atargatis, to ritually marry Diana, considered a manifestation of the Syrian goddess in the Levant.Шаблон:Sfn Alexander I's nickname, Balas, was probably used by the king himself. It is the Greek rendering of Ba'al, the Levant's supreme god. By using such an epithet, Alexander I was declaring himself the embodiment of Ba'al. Alexander I also used the radiate crown to indicate his ritual marriage to the supreme goddess.Шаблон:Sfn Alexander II made heavy use of the motifs of Dionysus in his coins.Шаблон:Sfn It is possible that, by utilising Dionysus, the son of the supreme god, Alexander II presented himself as the spiritual successor of his god-father, in addition to being his political heir.Шаблон:Sfn

Policy

One of Alexander II's first acts was the burial of Antiochus VII's remains which were returned by the Parthians. Burying the fallen king earned Alexander II the acclaim of Antioch's citizens;^{[note 12]}Шаблон:Sfn it was probably a calculated move aiming at gaining the support of Antiochus VII's loyal men.Шаблон:Sfn The seventh century chronicler John of Antioch wrote that following Antiochus VII's death, his son Seleucus ascended the throne and was quickly deposed by Demetrius II and fled to Parthia. Historian Auguste Bouché-Leclercq criticised this account, which is problematic and could be a version of Demetrius II's Parthian captivity corrupted by John of Antioch. However, it is possible that a son of Antiochus VII named Seleucus was captured by the Parthians along with his father and was later sent with Antiochus VII's remains to take the throne of Syria as a Parthian protégé. If this scenario happened, then Seleucus was faced by Alexander II and had to return to Parthia.Шаблон:Sfn

Coin of Alexander II. On the obverse, a bust of the king. On the reverse, double filleted cornucopiae are shown

Filleted cornucopiae on a coin of Alexander II

Since he ascended the throne with Egyptian help, Alexander II was under Ptolemaic influence, which was manifested in the appearance of the Egyptian style double filleted cornucopiae on the Syrian coinage.^{[note 13]}Шаблон:Sfn In Egypt, the double cornucopiae on coins might have been a reference to the union between the king and his consort.Шаблон:Sfn If the appearance of cornucopiae on Alexander II's coinage was connected to Ptolemaic practices, then it can be understood that Alexander II might have married a Ptolemaic princess, though such a marriage is not recorded by ancient literature.Шаблон:Sfn

According to Diodorus Siculus, Alexander II was "kindly and of a forgiving nature, and moreover was gentle in speech and in manners, wherefore he was deeply beloved by the common people".Шаблон:Sfn Diodorus Siculus wrote that three of Alexander II's officers, Antipater, Klonios, and Aeropos, rebelled and entrenched themselves in Laodicea. Alexander II defeated the rebels and recaptured the city; he pardoned the culprits.Шаблон:Sfn Bouché-Leclercq suggested that this rebellion took place in 128 BC and that the officers either defected to Demetrius II's side, were working for the son of Antiochus VII, or were instigated in their rebellion by Cleopatra Thea.^{[note 14]}Шаблон:Sfn

War against Demetrius II

Coin of Alexander II. On the obverse, a bust of the king wearing a headdress in the shape of an elephant head. On the reverse, a ship aphlaston is shown

Bronze coin of Alexander II probably struck to celebrate his naval victory over Demetrius II

Coin of Alexander II. On the obverse, a bust of the king is depicted. The reverse depicts a seated Zeus

Gold stater minted in 125 BC to celebrate Alexander II's victory over Demetrius II

Between August 127 BC and August 126 BC, Ptolemy VIII regained Alexandria;Шаблон:Sfn Cleopatra II fled to Demetrius II with the treasury of Egypt.Шаблон:Sfn Despite Alexander II's success in taking the capital, Demetrius II retained Cilicia,Шаблон:Sfn and Seleucia Pieria remained loyal to him, so did many cities in Coele-Syria; this led Alexander II to launch a campaign in the region.Шаблон:Sfn The armies of the two kings passed through Judea causing a plight for the inhabitants. This led the Jews to send an embassy to Rome demanding "the prohibition of the marching of royal soldiers through the Jewish territory 'and that of their subjectsШаблон:'";^{[note 15]}Шаблон:Sfn the embassy was between c. 127–125 BC.Шаблон:Sfn By October 126 BC, Ashkelon fell into Alexander II's hands. Numismatic evidence indicates that Samaria came under Alexander II's control.Шаблон:Sfn In the beginning of 125 BC, Demetrius II was defeated near Damascus and fled to Ptolemais.Шаблон:Sfn Cleopatra Thea refused to allow her husband to stay in the city, so he headed to Tyre on board a ship.Шаблон:Sfn Demetrius II asked for temple asylum in Tyre, but was killed by the city's commander (praefectus) in the spring or summer of 125 BC.Шаблон:Sfn

Alexander II minted bronze coins depicting him with an elephant scalp headdress on the obverse,Шаблон:Sfn and an aphlaston appears on the reverse; this can mean that Alexander II claimed a naval victory.^{[note 16]}Шаблон:Sfn The sea battle between Alexander II and Demetrius II, which is not documented in ancient literature, may have occurred only during the voyage of Demetrius II from Ptolemais to Tyre.Шаблон:Sfn The elephant scalp headdress was a theme in Alexander the Great's posthumous coinage minted by his successors.^{[note 17]}Шаблон:Sfn According to Ehling, by appearing with the elephant scalp, Alexander II alluded to Alexander the Great's conquest of Tyre which took place in 332 BC after seven months of siege.^{[note 18]}Шаблон:Sfn The 125 BC gold staters containing Alexander II's epithets were probably struck to celebrate his victory over Demetrius II.^{[note 19]}Шаблон:Sfn

Relations with Judea

Under Antiochus VII, the Judean high-priest and ruler John Hyrcanus I acquired the status of a vassal prince, paying tribute and minting his coinage in the name of the Syrian monarch.Шаблон:Sfn Following Antiochus VII's death, John Hyrcanus I ceased paying the tribute and minted coinage bearing his own name,Шаблон:Sfn but ties were kept with the Seleucid kingdom through monograms, representing Seleucid kings, that appeared on the early coins.Шаблон:Sfn The dating of this event is conjectural, with the earliest date possible 129 BC but more likely 128 BC.Шаблон:Sfn Demetrius II apparently planned an invasion of Judea, which was halted due to the king's failed invasion of Egypt and the uprising that erupted in Syria.Шаблон:Sfn According to Josephus, John Hyrcanus I "flourished greatly" under Alexander II's rule;Шаблон:Sfn apparently, the Judean leader sought an alliance with Alexander II to defend himself against Demetrius II.Шаблон:Sfn

Coin of John Hyrcanus I. On the obverse, an inscription. The reverse depicts two cornucopia in the position of a wreath with a pomegranate in the middle

Bronze prutah of John Hyrcanus I. The letter alpha above the Jewish's leader name might represent Alexander II

The 127 BC embassy sent by Judea to Rome asked the senate to force the Syrian abandonment of: Jaffa, the Mediterranean harbours which included Iamnia and Gaza, the cities of Gazara and Pegae (near Kfar Saba), in addition to other territories taken by King Antiochus VII. A Roman senatus consultum (senatorial decree), preserved in Josephus's work Antiquities of the Jews (book XIV, 250), granted the Jews their request regarding the cities, but did not mention the city of Gazara.Шаблон:Sfn The senatorial decree mentions the reigning Syrian king as Antiochus son of Antiochus, which can mean only Antiochus IX, who assumed the throne in 199 SE (114/113 BC).Шаблон:Sfn The decree might indicate the Syrians had already abandoned Gazara in c. 187 SE (126/125 BC). This supports the notion that an agreement between Alexander II and John Hyrcanus I was signed early in the Syrian king's reign.^{[note 20]} Such a treaty would have established the alliance between Alexander II and Judea, and stipulated a territorial agreement where John Hyrcanus I received the lands south of Gazara including that city, while Alexander II maintained control over the region north of Gazara including Samaria.Шаблон:Sfn

John Hyrcanus I recognised Alexander II as his sovereign.^{[note 21]}Шаблон:Sfn The earliest series of coins minted by the high priest showed the Greek letter Α (alpha) positioned prominently above John Hyrcanus I's name. The alpha must have been the first letter of a Seleucid king's name, and many scholars, such as Dan Barag, suggested that it represents Alexander II.^{[note 22]}Шаблон:Sfn Another clue indicating the relationship between Alexander II and John Hyrcanus I is the latter's use of the double cornucopiae motif on his coins; a pomegranate motif appeared in the centre of the cornucopiae to highlight the authority of the Jewish leader.Шаблон:Sfn This imagery was apparently a cautious policy by John Hyrcanus I. In case Alexander II was defeated, the Judean coins motifs were neutral enough to appease an eventual successor, while if Alexander II emerged victorious and decided to interfere in Judea, the cornucopiae coins could be used to show the king that John Hyrcanus I already accepted Alexander II's suzerainty.Шаблон:Sfn The high priest eventually won the independence of Judea later in Alexander II's reign;Шаблон:Sfn once John Hyrcanus I severed his ties with the Seleucids, the alpha was removed.Шаблон:Sfn

Height of power and the break with Egypt

Coin of Alexander II. The obverse depicts a bust of the king. The reverse depicts a standing god

Bronze coin of Alexander II, minted in Beirut

Coin of Alexander II. The obverse depicts a bust of the king. The reverse depicts a god standing on a bull

Drachm of Alexander II, minted in Tarsus

Following Demetrius II's death, Alexander II, commanding a force of forty thousand soldiers, brought Seleucia Pieria under his control.Шаблон:Sfn Cilicia was also conquered in 125 BC along with other regions.Шаблон:Sfn The coinage of Alexander II was minted in: Antioch, Seleucia Pieria, Apamea, Damascus, Beirut, Ashkelon and Tarsus, in addition to unknown minting centers in northern Syria, southern Coele-Syria and Cilicia (coded by numismatists: uncertain mint 111, 112, 113, 114).Шаблон:Sfn In Ptolemais, Cleopatra Thea refused to recognise Alexander II as king; already in 187 SE (126/125 BC), the year of her husband's defeat, she struck tetradrachms in her own name as the sole monarch of Syria. Her son with Demetrius II, Seleucus V, declared himself king, but she had him assassinated. The people of Syria did not accept a woman as the sole monarch. This led Cleopatra Thea to choose her younger son by Demetrius II, Antiochus VIII, as a co-ruler in 186 SE (125/124 BC).Шаблон:Sfn

According to Justin, Ptolemy VIII abandoned Alexander II after the death of Demetrius II and reconciled with Cleopatra II who went back to Egypt as a co-ruler.Шаблон:Sfn Justin stated that Ptolemy VIII's reason for abandoning Alexander II was the latter's increased arrogance swelled by his successes that led him to treat his benefactor with insolence.Шаблон:Sfn The change of Ptolemaic policy probably had less to do with Ptolemy VIII's pride than with Alexander II's victories; a strong neighbour in Syria was not a desired situation for Egypt.Шаблон:Sfn It is also probable that Cleopatra Thea negotiated an alliance with her uncle.Шаблон:Sfn Soon after Cleopatra II's return, Ptolemy VIII's daughter by Cleopatra III, Tryphaena, was married to Antiochus VIII. An Egyptian army was sent to support the faction of Antiochus VIII against AlexanderШаблон:NbspII.^{[note 23]}Шаблон:Sfn The return of Cleopatra II and the marriage of Antiochus VIII both took place in 124 BC.Шаблон:Sfn

War with Antiochus VIII, defeat and death

Файл:Syria in 124 BC.png

Syria in early 124 BC; Alexander II was in control of the country with the exception of the city of Ptolemais

Supported by the Egyptian troops, Antiochus VIII waged war against Alexander II, who lost most of his lands.Шаблон:Sfn He lost Ashkelon in 189 SE (124/123 BC).Шаблон:Sfn The final battle took place at an unknown location in the first half of 123 BC, ending with Alexander II's defeat.Шаблон:Sfn Шаблон:Sfn Different ancient historians presented varying accounts of Alexander II's end. Josephus merely stated that the king was defeated and killed,Шаблон:Sfn while Eusebius mentioned that Alexander II committed suicide with poison because he could not live with his defeat.Шаблон:Sfn Most details are found in the accounts of Diodorus Siculus and Justin:Шаблон:Sfn

In the account of Diodorus Siculus, Alexander II decided to avoid the battle with Antiochus VIII since he had no confidence in his subjects'Шаблон:Sfn aspirations for political change or their tolerance for the hardships that warfare would bring. Instead of fighting, Alexander II decided to take the royal treasuries, steal the valuables of the temples, and sail to Greece at night. While pillaging the temple of Zeus with some of his foreign subordinates, he was discovered by the populace and barely escaped with his life. Accompanied by a few men he went to Seleucia Pieria, but the news of his sacrilege arrived before him. The city closed its gates, forcing him to seek shelter in Posidium. Two days after pillaging the temple, Alexander II was caught and brought in chains to Antiochus VIII in his camp, suffering the insults and humiliation at the hands of his enemies. People who witnessed the indignation of Alexander II were shocked at the scene they thought could never happen. After accepting what had occurred in front of them was reality, they looked away with astonishment.Шаблон:Sfn
In the account of Justin, Alexander II fled to Antioch following his defeat at the hands of Antiochus VIII. Lacking the resources to pay his troops, the king ordered the removal of a golden Nike from the temple of Jupiter (Zeus), joking that "victory was lent to him by Jupiter". A few days later, Alexander II himself ordered the golden statue of Jupiter to be taken out under the cover of night. The city's populace revolted against the king, and he was forced to flee. He was later deserted by his men and caught by bandits; they delivered him to Antiochus VIII, who ordered him executed.Шаблон:Sfn

Coin of Alexander II. The obverse depicts a bust of the king. The reverse depicts a seated Zeus

The golden stater probably minted using the spoils from Zeus' temple

Alexander II issued two series of gold staters. One bears his epithets and dates to 125 BC according to many numismatists, such as Oliver Hoover and Arthur Houghton, and another bearing only the title of king (basileus). Earlier numismatists, such as Edward Theodore Newell and Ernest Babelon, who only knew about the 125 BC stater, suggested that it was minted with the gold pillaged from the temple. However, the iconography of that stater does not match that used for Alexander II's late coinage, as the diadem ties fall in a straight fashion on the neck. On the other hand, the arrangement of the diadem ties on the stater that lacks the royal epithets is more consistent with Alexander II's late tetradrachm, making it more reasonable to associate that stater with the Nike theft.^{[note 24]}Шаблон:Sfn

Though his last coins were issued in 190 SE (123/122 BC), ancient historians do not provide the explicit date of Alexander II's death.Шаблон:Sfn He probably died by October 123 BC since the first Antiochene coins of Antiochus VIII were issued in 190 SE (123/122 BC).Шаблон:Sfn Шаблон:Sfn Damascus kept striking coinage in the name of Alexander II until 191 SE (122/121 BC), when the forces of Antiochus VIII took it.Шаблон:Sfn According to Diodorus Siculus, many who witnessed the king's end "remarked in various ways on the fickleness of fate, the reversals in human fortunes, the sudden turns of tide, and how changeable life could be, far beyond what anyone would expect".Шаблон:Sfn No wife or children of Alexander II, if he had any, are known;Шаблон:Sfn with his death, the line of Antiochus IV became extinct.Шаблон:Sfn

Notes

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References

Citations

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Sources

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External links

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The biography of Alexander II in the website of the numismatist Petr Veselý.

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