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Episode 112, the Seleuket Empire, Breaking the Hammer.

In late 162, the line of Seleucus IV had been restored to the throne, with Demetrius the first escaping captivity in Rome to return to Syria.

Demetrius' acquisition of the crown proved to be

rather simple, as many within the court and their subjects had grown tired of the standing

regent Lyceus, and willingly carried out the execution of the minister and the boy king Antiochus

the fifth. There were many problems left over from Eupater's reign, namely of the Maccabene

revolt, and none all approved of this new king. Enemies were everywhere, both within and outside of the

empire. Firstly, we may look to the individuals called Tamarcos and Heraclites.

These men were brothers from Miletus who were given high positions of command due to their

friendship with Antiochus the Fourth Epiphanes, with the former assigned as Satrap of Media and

the latter the royal treasurer of Antioch.

Media was a wealthy and important region to govern, and Tamarcus's power

probably extended further than this. It appears that this arrangement continued under the reign

of Antiochus V, though we aren't sure what his response was to the attempted usurpation by

Philip after he brought back the king's body from Persia. However, with their benefactor and his successor dead, the siblings understood that Demetrius

would not be well inclined to them given the role in the previous government, so the pair

decided to take a gamble.

Shortly after Demetrius's return to Syria, Tamarcus, or more likely Heraclites, embarked on a mission to Italy to meet with the Roman Senate, whom they had numerous dealings with during the time of Epiphanes.

Using the wealth of media, they bribed several senators and arranged an opportunity to present their case on the Senate floor, openly

attacking Demetrius and requesting support from Rome so that Tamarcus could claim the title

of King.

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