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Diodotus Tryphon
King
Coin of Diodotus Tryphon. British Museum.
Reign	Seleucid kingdom: 142 BC – 138 BC
Predecessor	Antiochus VI Dionysus
Successor	Antiochus VII Sidetes

Diodotus Tryphon (Greek: Διόδοτος Τρύφων) was king of the Hellenistic Seleucid kingdom. As a general of the army, he promoted the claims of Antiochus VI Dionysus, the infant son of Alexander Balas, in Antioch after Alexander's death, but then in 142 deposed the child and himself seized power in Coele-Syria where Demetrius II Nicator was unpopular for his oppressive treatment of the Jews.

Coin of Diodotus Tryphon.

The internal situation in the Seleucid domains was so convoluted, and Diodotus was so eager to gain allies, that in 143 BC Hasmonean rule was reinstated in Judea in exchange for aid. True to their word, several Jewish armies marched against Diodotus' rival Demetrius and opposing cities. However, the Jewish forces under the High Priest Jonathan behaved too boldly, leading to his capture and murder by ruse when Diodotus marched into Judea. Despite his preparations and intentions to cow the Jews, Diodotus was entirely unsuccessful, and left the region under the rule of Jonathan's brother Simon, with little gain beyond a minor tribute of 100 talents. Finally, in 138 Diodotus was attacked and defeated in Antioch by Antiochus VII of Side. Diodotus committed suicide after his defeat.

In 138 BC, Diodotus claimed that his charge had contracted an illness and supposedly required surgery, during which he died - presumably disguising his murder at his supposed benefactor's bequest.

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Antiochus VI Dionysus
King
Coin of Antiochus VI Dionysus. British Museum.
Reign	Seleucid kingdom: 148 BC - 138 BC

Coin of Antiochus VI. The reverse shows Castor and Polydeuces on horseback. The Greek inscription reads ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ (king Antiochus). The date ΘΞΡ is 169 of the Seleucid era, corresponding to 144–143 BC.

Antiochus VI Dionysus (ca. 148–138 BC), king of the Hellenistic Seleucid kingdom, was the son of Alexander Balas and Cleopatra Thea, daughter of Ptolemy VI of Egypt.

Antiochus VI did not actually rule. Either already in 145 or in early 144 BC he was nominated by the general Diodotus Tryphon as heir to the throne in opposition to Demetrius II, and remained the general's tool.^[1] In c. 142/1 BC, the young king died ^[2]. While some ancient authors make Diodotus Tryphon responsible for the death of the king ^[3], others write that he died during a surgery ^[4].

References[link]

Schürer, E. (1973). A History of the Jewish People in the Age of Jesus Christ (175 BC- AD 135) (Revised and Edited by G. Vermes and F. Millar ed.). Edinburgh. pp. 183–197. 

Footnotes[link]

1. ^ The first coins of the king are dated to the year 144 BC Houghton, Arthur (1992). "The Revolt of Tryphon and the accession of Antiochos VI at Apamea". SNR 71: 119–41. 
2. ^ The last coinage of Antiochos VI is dated to the year 142/1 BC, see Houghton, Arthur, Lorber, Catherine C, Hoover, Oliver D. (2008), Seleucid Coins: A comprehensive catalogue, Part II: Seleucus IV to Antiochus XIII, 2 Vols, New York/Lancaster PA, Nr. 2020; 2022.3; 2026.
3. ^ Makk. 13.31; Diod. Sic. 33.28; App. Syr. 68. 357; Iust. 36.1.7.; Oros. 5.4.18.
4. ^ Ios. Ant. 13. 218; Liv. per. 55.

External links[link]

• Antiochus VI entry in historical sourcebook by Mahlon H. Smith