Seleukid Kingdom. Uncertain mint 28, in Syria or Mesopotamia. Antiochos II Theos 261-246 BC.
Tetradrachm AR

30 mm, 17,05 g

Diademed head of Antiochos II to right / ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ANTIOXOY, Apollo seated left on omphalos, holding arrow in his right hand and resting his left on grounded bow; to outer right, Φ.

Good Very Fine

SC 577.1.

Antiochos II Theos, the third ruler of the Seleucid Empire, reigned from 261 BC until his death in 246 BC. He inherited the throne from his father, Antiochos I Soter, and his epithet "Theos," meaning "God," was likely given to him by the people of Miletus after he freed them from the tyranny of a local ruler, reflecting the Hellenistic tendency to deify rulers. Antiochos II's reign was marked by ongoing conflict with the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt, led by Ptolemy II Philadelphus. This period of hostilities, known as the Second Syrian War (260-253 BC), was part of the larger series of wars fought between the Seleucid and Ptolemaic empires over control of the territories in the eastern Mediterranean, particularly Coele-Syria. To strengthen political ties and secure peace with Egypt, Antiochos II married Ptolemy II’s daughter, Berenice Syra, in 253 BC, after divorcing his first wife, Laodice I. However, after the death of Ptolemy II in 246 BC, Antiochos II returned to Laodice. This decision triggered a deadly conflict known as the "Laodicean War." Shortly after reconciling with Laodice, Antiochos II died under mysterious circumstances, widely believed to have been poisoned by Laodice. Following his death, a violent power struggle ensued between the supporters of his two wives, leading to significant instability in the Seleucid Empire. Antiochos II was succeeded by his son with Laodice, Seleukos II Kallinikos, but the ensuing conflict weakened the empire and allowed Ptolemaic forces to reclaim territories. His reign, while marked by some military successes, ultimately contributed to the internal discord that plagued the Seleucid dynasty in the following years.