ANTIOCHOS I SOTER (281-261 BC)

SELEUKID KINGS OF SYRIA

"Soter – The Savior" Antiochus Soter was the last ruler to be attributed the ancient Mesopotamian title "King of the Universe." After the assassination of his father, Seleucus I Nikator, in 281 BCE, the young ruler was immediately faced with mounting challenges: revolts in Syria and Anatolia, and war against Antigonus Gonatas. He was forced to make peace with his father's murderer, Ptolemy Ceraunus.

In 278 BCE, Celtic Galatians invaded Anatolia. In 275 BCE, they were defeated by Antiochus in the so-called "Battle of the Elephants" (named for the war elephants that played a decisive role in the victory). For this triumph, Antiochus earned the title Soter (Savior) from the cities of Ionia, which expressed their gratitude for being saved from the invaders.

Denomination: Tetradrachm, Ag

Obverse: Diademed head of Antiochos I to right

Reverse:  Apollo Delphios seated left on omphalos, holding arrow in his right hand and resting his left on grounded bow; to left and right, monograms, BAΣIΛEΩΣ ANTIOXOY

Mint:  Seleukeia on the Tigris, 281-261 B.C.

Weight: 16,59 g

Diameter: 29mm

Provenance: CNG

Referenz : 09.1 SC 379.6a

Sammlung : ALEXANDER THE GREAT and HIS SUCCESSORS