Seleucid arrowhead with emblem of Antiochos VII Sidetes

ITEM: Arrowhead with emblem of Antiochos VII Sidetes
MATERIAL: Bronze
CULTURE: Seleucid Empire
PERIOD: Battle against the Hasmoneans, 138 B.C
DIMENSIONS: 45 mm x 16 mm
CONDITION: Good condition
PROVENANCE: Ex English private collection, acquired before 1990s
PARALLEL: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Accession number 08.99.16–.17.
MAZIS M., WRIGHT N.L., Archers, Antiochos VII Sidetes, and the Arrowheads, p. 207, Fig. A to D.
T. ARIEL, D., ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVIDENCE FOR THE SIEGE OF JERUSALEM BY ANTIOCHUS VII SIDETES, p. 241-242

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Antiochos VII Sidetes, a king of the Seleucid Empire, ruled from 138 to 129 BCE. He is often remembered for attempting to restore the waning power of the Seleucid state, which had been severely weakened by internal strife and external threats. After ascending to the throne, Antiochos VII set his sights on reclaiming territories lost to rival factions, including the Judean kingdom led by the Hasmonean dynasty. His campaign against the Hasmoneans, a Jewish ruling family that had established a semi-independent state, was part of his broader strategy to reassert Seleucid dominance over the region.

The conflict between Antiochos VII and the Hasmoneans reached a peak during his siege of Jerusalem in 134 BCE. At this time, John Hyrcanus, the Hasmonean ruler, was consolidating his power in Judea after the death of his father, Simon Maccabeus. Despite their initial resistance, the Hasmoneans were forced to negotiate with Antiochos VII, who had superior military strength. The siege concluded with a compromise: the Hasmoneans retained some level of autonomy, but they were required to pay tribute and acknowledge Seleucid authority. This outcome demonstrated Antiochos VII’s pragmatic approach to dealing with rebellious territories.

However, Antiochos VII's successes in Judea were short-lived. He soon launched an ambitious campaign against the Parthians, who posed a significant threat to the eastern borders of the Seleucid Empire. This campaign ended in disaster, as Antiochos VII was killed in 129 BCE. His death marked the effective end of Seleucid influence in Judea, allowing the Hasmoneans to further consolidate their power and eventually gain full independence. The conflict between Antiochos VII and the Hasmoneans symbolizes the decline of the Seleucid Empire and the rise of the Hasmonean dynasty in the region.