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Antiochus V Eupator (ca. 173 BC - 162 BC), was a
ruler of the Greek Seleucid Empire who reigned
164-162 BC. He was only nine when he succeeded to
the kingship, following the death in Persia of his
father Antiochus IV Epiphanes. Regent for the boy
was the general Lysias who had been left in charge
of Syria by Epiphanes. Lysias was, however,
seriously challenged by other generals and was
therefore in a precarious situation. To make matters
worse, the Roman Senate kept Demetrius, the son of
Seleucus IV and the rightful heir to the throne, as
a hostage. By threatening to release him, the Senate
could easily control the Seleucid government. The
attempt to check the Jewish rebellion ended in a
weak compromise despite a military victory for the
still very fearsome Seleucid army. A Roman embassy
now travelled along the cities of Syria and crippled
the Seleucid military power. Warships were sunk and
elephants hamstrung in accordance with the peace
treaty of Apamea made in 188 BC. Lysias dared do
nothing to oppose the Romans, but his subservience
so enraged his Syrian subjects that the Roman envoy
Gnaeus Octavius (consul of 165 BC) was assassinated
in Laodicea (162 BC). At this juncture Demetrius
escaped from Rome and was received in Syria as the
true king.
Antiochus Eupator (whose epithet means "of a good
father") was soon put to death together with his
protector.
Preceded by
Antiochus IV Epiphanes
Succeeded by
Demetrius I Soter
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