Laodice III

Who is Laodice III?

Laodice III, was a Princess of Pontus and a daughter born to King Mithridates II of Pontus and his wife Laodice. Her sister was Laodice of Pontus and her brother was Mithridates III of Pontus. Laodice married her maternal first cousin, the Seleucid King Antiochus III the Great soon after his accession about 222 BC in a ceremony at Zeugma. She was proclaimed queen by Antiochus III at Antioch before he set out in his expedition against Molon. The birth of their eldest child Antiochus, took place during the absence of the king on that expedition. Laodice’s name does not appear in any sources; however her name is recorded in a number of inscriptions alongside her husband’s in the later years of her husband’s reign at Sardis, Herakleia-by-Latmos, Iasos and Antioch. When she died Antiochus III developed a cult for her and was granted divine honors alongside her husband at Teos.

Laodice III bore Antiochus III eight children who were: Antiochus, Seleucus IV Philopator, Ardys, an unnamed daughter who was engaged to Demetrius I of Bactria, Laodice IV, Cleopatra I Syra, Antiochis and Antiochus IV Epiphanes born as Mithridates. After her death, Antiochus III married to Euboea of Chalcis, by whom he had no children.