Timarchus

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Timarchus' Drachm

Timarchus († 160 BC) was a usurper in the Seleucid Empire , who lived from about 163 to 160 BC. BC ruled parts of the empire, had its own coins minted and assumed the title of king.

Timarchus probably came from Miletus . His father was a certain Heraclides. His grandfather was possibly the Milesian tyrant of the same name, who was killed by Antiochus II . Timarchus and his younger brother were childhood friends of Antiochus IV. They were probably also together in Rome (178/77 BC). With the beginning of the reign of Antiochus IV, Timarchus became the satrap of the media and probably also of Babylonia . His brother Heraclides was appointed treasurer. Timarchus was now general governor of the upper satrapies . Timarchus was now an important court official who was sent to Rome as an ambassador. This gave him good contacts with the Roman Senate. In 162 he was back in Rome, where he was allowed to bear the title of king.

In the following years Timarchus was able to successfully defend the media against the attacking Parthians . During the unrest after the death of Antiochus IV in 164 BC. BC Timarchus became a practically independent ruler in the media. After Antiochus V , the successor of Antiochus IV, was killed by Demetrios I , Timarchus accepted the title of king. Demetrios I could Timarchus in 160 BC. BC, killed him and because of this victory received the title Soter ("Savior").

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