Cleopatra/Antiochos VIII
125 to 96 BC

Cleopatra Thea (164 BC - 121 BC), was ruler of the Hellenistic Seleucid kingdom, and daughter of Ptolemy VI and Cleopatra II of Egypt. She ruled Syria from 125 BC to 121 BC. She married Alexander Balas in 150 BC and they had a son (Antiochus VI Dionysus). Later she married Demetrius II Nicator in 148 BC, their children were Seleucus V Philometor and Antiochus VIII Grypus. However Demetrius was captured during battle with the Parthians. She married yet again to Antiochus VII Sidetes(brother of Demetrius). They had a son, Antiochus IX Cyzicenus. In 129 BC, Antiochus was killed fighting the Parthians. Demetrius had been released and returned home to reclaim his throne and queen. Cleopatra then took the precaution of sending Antiochus IX to Cyzicus in Asia Minor. Demetrius unsuccessfully attempted to invade Egypt. In retaliation, the ruler of Egypt sent Alexander Zabinas to provoke civil war. After Demetrius was defeated he retreated to Ptolemais Hermiou only to find the city gates closed against him by Cleopatra. He boarded a ship to flee, but was killed on Cleopatra's orders. From 125 BC to 121 BC, Cleopatra ruled Syria, killing Demetrius' eldest son Seleucus when he attempted to claim the throne. To legitimize her reign, she shared the throne with her son Antiochus VIII. Antiochus VIII became less controllable as he grew up and in 121 BC, she decided to eliminate him. As he returned from a hunt one day, she offered him a cup of wine. Since this was not common behavior for her, Antiochus was suspicious and forced her to drink the wine, which killed her.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleopatra_Thea


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Cleopatra/Antiochos VIII AE 19 123 BC Obvs: No inscription. Antiochos radiate head right, within dotted border. Revs: BAΣΙΛΙΣΣHΣ KΛEoΠATPAΣ KAI BAΣIΛEΩΣ ANTIOXOY, Owl standing on prostrate amphora. bp club below 19mm, 5.9g $179.00 Order # G 126 Ref: SNG Isr.322.2451 Qty Shipping amount

Antiochos VIII AR Drachm 112 to 109 BC Obvs: Antiochos diademed head right, within dotted border. Revs: BAΣIΛEΩΣ ANTIOXOY EΠIΦANOYΣ, Tripod. 17mm, 3.8g $95.00 Order # G 153 Ref: SNG Is. 2525 Qty Shipping amount