| Seleucus V Philometor | |
|---|---|
| Crown Prince andKing ofSyria | |
| Co-regent (King) of theSeleucid Empire (Co-regent ofSyria) | |
| Reign | 126–125 BC (with his motherCleopatra Thea) |
| Coronation | 125 BC |
| Predecessor | Demetrius II Nicator andAlexander II Zabinas |
| Successor | Cleopatra Thea andAntiochus VIII Grypus |
| Born | Unknown |
| Died | 125 BC |
| Dynasty | Seleucid |
| Father | Demetrius II Nicator |
| Mother | Cleopatra Thea |
TheSeleucid kingSeleucus V Philometor (Greek: Σέλευκος Ε΄ ὁ Φιλομήτωρ; 126/125 BC), ruler of theHellenisticSeleucid kingdom, was the eldest son ofDemetrius II Nicator andCleopatra Thea.[1] The epithetPhilometor means "mother-loving" and in theHellenistic world usually indicated that the mother acted as co-regent for the prince.
Just beforeAntiochus VII Sidetes died fighting theParthian Empire in late 129, the Parthian kingPhraates II had released Demetrius II, who entered Syria in ca. September 129. This forced Seleucus V's half-brotherAntiochus IX to flee toCyzicus. Cleopatra Thea remarried Demetrius and reunited him with his two sons, Seleucus V andAntiochus VIII.[2]
The Parthians captured Antiochus VII's son, also named Seleucus, and Laodice, Seleucus V's sister, who had accompanied the fallen king on campaign.[3] Phraates married Laodice,[4] and showed great favor to Seleucus, son of Antiochus VII.[5] While Demetrius II was preoccupied fighting the usurperAlexander II Zabinas, the Parthians sent this Seleucus back to Syria, hoping he could take the throne as their puppet king. The attempt failed, and he spent the rest of his life in Parthia.[6]
Instead, after his father was murdered outside ofTyre in 125, Seleucus V claimed the throne as the eldest son of Demetrius II; however, he was soon killed by his own mother.[7] According toAppian, Cleopatra Thea had aided in the death of Demetrius and feared that Seleucus V might avenge his father. This encouraged her to remove Seleucus in favor of his younger brother, Antiochus VIII.[8]
| Preceded by | Seleucid King withCleopatra Thea 126–125 BC | Succeeded by |
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