Antiochus V Eupator

Who was Antiochus V Eupator?

Antiochus V Eupator was a ruler of the Greek Seleucid Empire who reigned 163–161 BC.

Antiochus V was only nine years old when he succeeded to the kingship, following the death in Persia of his father Antiochus IV Epiphanes and his mother Laodice IV. The general Lysias, who had been left in charge of Syria by Epiphanes, served as regent for the child, although he was challenged by other generals. The Roman Senate still kept Demetrius, son of Seleucus IV and the rightful heir to the throne, as hostage, refusing to release him because they considered it better to have Syria nominally ruled by a boy and his regent than the 22-year-old Demetrius.

At the outset of the reign of Antiochus V, there was an attempt by the Syrians to quell the Maccabean Revolt in Judea, but this ended in a weak compromise. After a military victory in the Battle of Beth-Zecharia, and the killing of Eleazar Avaran, a brother of Judas Maccabaeus, Lysias was informed that Philip, was returning to the capital with the other half of the Seleucid army. Lysias felt threatened, and advised Antiochus V to offer peace to the Jews.