Akademik

(reigned 175–164 BC)

   Ruler of the Seleucid Empire encompassing Syria, Asia Minor, Mesopotamia, and parts of Iran. Son of Antiochus III and Laodice of Pontus and brother of Cleopatra I. He succeeded to the throne upon the assassination of his brother, Seleucus IV, in association with his nephew, Antiochus, whom he adopted and later executed. Conflict with Egypt over Syria was renewed in 170–169 BC, but an invading Egyptian army was defeated. Antiochus in turn invaded Egypt, taking the border town of Pelusium and capturing Ptolemy VI and Memphis, but he failed to take Alexandria and withdrew in 169 BC. He invaded again in 168 BC and may have aimed to crown himself ruler of Egypt, but he was forced to withdraw under pressure from Rome. He then turned his attention eastward to Iran and died at Tabae in 164 BC.

   See also Popillius Laenas, Caius; Warfare.