Antiochus Hierax  [ca. 263 - 226 BCE]

The younger son of Antiochus II & his sister Laodice whose ambitions brought the Seleucid dynasty close to extinction.  His brother, Seleucus II, made him governor of Asia Minor during his war with Egypt (246-241 BCE).  But instead of helping him, Hierax was encouraged by his mother to use his brother's misfortunes to seize the Seleucid throne for himself. With the aid of the Celts of Galatia he defeated his brother at Ancyra (236 BCE) but was himself driven into exile by Attalus I of Pergamum (229 BCE).  Failing in subsequent attempts to unseat his brother in Syria, he was exiled to Thrace where he was held in custody for two years, escaping only to be killed by his former allies, the Galatians.

References: Justin, Epitome 27.2-3

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This silver tetradrachma minted by Hierax mimics his father's coinage.  The face bears the king's image wearing the royal diadem.  The other side portrays Apollo with bow & arrow seated on a phallic stone.  The Greek inscription reads from right to left, Basileos Antiochou ("of King Antiochos").

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