The oldest son of Antiochus
VIII claimed the Seleucid throne
by attacking & killing his uncle, Antiochus
IX (95
BCE). A few months later, however, he was driven into
exile by his cousin, Antiochus
X, launching a family power struggle that fragmented the Seleucid
empire & plunged it into all out civil war. Seleucus himself was
killed in a tax-revolt at Mopsuestia, Asia Minor. Each of his younger brothers
(Antiochus XI,
Demetrius III &
Antiochus XII) launched challenges that cost Antiochus
X effective control of large segments of Seleucid territory.
This twelve year dynastic feud in turn cost all Seleucid pretenders any
lasting allegiance from their
subjects & opened the door to foreign domination of their once mighty
empire.
References: Josephus,
Antiquities
13.366-369.
Appian,
Roman
History: Syrian Wars 11.69.
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