★ ★ The Usurper ACHAIOS ★ ★

Seleukid Kingdom. ACHAIOS (USURPER, 220-214 BC). AE. 5.82 g. - 17.82 mm. Sardes.
Obv.: Laureate head of Apollo right.
Rev.: BAΣIΛEΩΣ / AXAIOY. Eagle standing right, with palm frond over shoulder.
Ref.: SC 955; HGC 9, 435.
Fine.

Achaeus was a general and kinsman of Antiochus III of Seleucid Asia Minor. Married Laodice, daughter of Mithridates II of Pontus. Appointed commander of all Asia west of Mount Taurus in 223 BC and then recovered Seleucid territories from Attalus I of Pergamum. The fourth Syrian war and the preoccupation of Antiochus and his army with Ptolemy IV and Molon provided Achaeus the opportunity to declare himself king in Phrygia in the autumn of 220, thus finally severing the ties with Antiochus III. In 218 BC Attalus regained control over the Greek cities of northern Ionia, Aeolis and Troas and the Mysian lands as far east as the Megistos river, which occupied Achaeus during the fourth Syrian war. He held power only until Antiochus had reached a peace with Ptolemy, and issued bronze coinage in his name; Antiochus then allied with Attalus to retake the territory Achaeus had claimed. Achaeus withstood a seige in the citadel of Sardis for two years. After sustaining a siege of two years, the citadel at last fell into the hands of Antiochus in 213 BC, through the treachery of Bolis (who had been employed by Sosibius, minister to Ptolemy). Bolis pledged to deliver Achaeus to safety, but turned him over to Antiochus, who immediately put him to death.