Silver Tetradrachm - Ancient Greece, Seleukid Kingdom - Ruler: Antiochos VII, c. 138-129 BC.
Obv: Diademed Bust of Antiochos, right.
Rev: Athena standing left, within wreath.
Mint: Cappadocia, under Ariarathes VII.
Exceptionally Nice Portrait!
cf Lorber NC166. (28mm, 16.59gm)
Antiochus VII Euergetes, nicknamed Sidetes (from Side), ruler of the Hellenistic Seleucid Empire, reigned from 138 to 129 BC. He was the last Seleucid king of any stature. Antiochus spent the final years of his life attempting to reclaim the lost eastern territories, overrun by the Parthians under their ''Great King'', Mithridates I.
Marching east, with what would prove to be the last great Seleucid royal army (including a force of Judean mercenaries under John Hyrcanus), he defeated Mithridates in two battles, killing the aged Parthian king in the last of these. He restored Mesopotamia, Babylonia and Media to the Seleucid empire, before dispersing his army into winter quarters.
