Antiochus V -172 – -161

Biography

Antiochus V was a ruler of the Seleucid Empire during a pivotal period in the second century BCE. He came to power in 164 BC and guided the vast Hellenistic kingdom through significant challenges during his reign until 161 BC. Born on January 1, 172 BC, Antiochus V inherited a throne at a time when the Seleucid state faced considerable pressures from both internal and external forces.

During his relatively brief time as ruler, Antiochus V worked to maintain the stability of his expansive realm, which stretched across Western Asia. His reign represented a critical chapter in Seleucid history, as the empire navigated complex political and military circumstances. Though his years in power spanned less than a decade, they were instrumental in shaping the course of the eastern Mediterranean world during this transformative era.

Antiochus V passed away on January 1, 161 BC, ending his reign and leaving behind a legacy as a Seleucid monarch who ruled during one of the dynasty’s most demanding periods. His life spanned from birth to death within the same calendar dates, marking a symmetry in the historical record of this ancient ruler.