Antigonus

Known as Monophtalmos (literally “one-eyed”). One of the Diadochi, he held power over Babylon from 315 to 311 BCE. between his victory on the 2nd Diadochi War and his defeat at the end of the 3rd Diadochi War. His name is attested in the Babylonian Chronicles as Antigunusu and in the UKL as as Attugun.

Seleucus I

Receiving the cognomen Nicator “Victor”, Seleucus I vanquished Antigonos first on the context of the 3rd Diadochi War by recapturing the city of Babylon, and definitively on the follow up “Babylonian War”. While Alexander IV was alive, Seleucus used only the title of satrap of Babylon (320-306). After the death of the last heir of Alexander the Great in 306, Seleucus took the title of King of Babylon officially (305-281), and effectively founded the Seleucid Dynasty and a new capital Seleucia-on-the-Tigris. In the Babylonian Chronicles and the UKL his name is rendered as Siluku.

Antiochus I

King of Babylonia (280-261). Known by the cognomen Soter meaning “Savior”. He is attested in cuneiform sources, mostly Chronicles and the Uruk King List, as Anti’kusu.

Antiochus II

Receiving the cognomen Theos (literally “the god”), Antiochus II ascended to the throne of Babylon by direct hereditary succession (261-246). He won the Second Syrian War against Ptolemaic Egypt. Along with his father, he is likely mentioned in the Babylonian King List of the Hellenistic Period and in the Seleucid Accessions Chronicle.

Seleucus II

King of Babylonia (246-226), Seleucus II was known as the “beautiful victor” (Callinicus). Despite reaching power by direct hereditary line, the unclear situation, caused by his father’s early death, regarding succession among his three sons (Seleucus II, Antiochus Hierax, and Antiochus son of Egyptian princess Berenice) gave rise to the Third Syrian War and further conflict with his brother and co-ruler Antiochus Hierax.

Seleucus III

King of Babylonia (226-223). Receiving both the cognomen Keraunos (“thunderbolt”) and the epithet Soter (“savior”), he campaigned in Anatolia against Pergamon and was eventually assassinated. He is mentioned in the Seleucid Accessions Chronicle, and one fragmentary cuneiform tablet contains part of a chronicle spanning the period of his reign and reporting on royal expenditure in money and animals for offerings at the Esagila of Babylon (BM 35421 – Chronicle of Seleucus III).

Antiochus III

Brother of Seleukos III, Antiochus III is remembered as Megas (“the Great”) due to his conquest of several territories (including the nascent Parthian Kingdom) and the success achieved against Ptolemaic Egypt in the Fourth and Fifth Syrian wars. Less successful was his first contact against Roman power (192-188). He is mentioned in the Babylonian King List of the Hellenistic Period and in the Judicial Chronicle.

Seleucus IV

King of Babylonia (187-175). Receiving the epithet Philopator meaning “father lover”, Seleucus IV rule was marked by the aftermath of the Peace of Apamea, the war compensations the Seleucid Kingdom is forced to pay Rome and its allies, and the civil unrest caused by the drastic measures used to raise funds such as the plundering of temples (2 Mcb 3-4). He died at the hands of one of his generals. Seleucus IV is mentioned in the Babylonian King List of the Hellenistic Period.

Antiochus IV

King of Babylonia (175-164). Known as Epiphanes (“manifestation of the god”), Antiochus IV succeeds his brother. During his reign, he continued to deal with growing Roman pressure, civil strife (Maccabean Revolt) and the renewed aggression of Ptolemaic Egypt (Sixth Syrian War). He is mentioned in the Babylonian King List of the Hellenistic Period; the Astronomical Diaries, the Politai Chronicle and the Greek Community Chronicle. These last two fragmentary texts seemingly account a confrontation between the cities of Babylon and Seleucia-on-the-Tigris resulting in the implantation of a Greek community in Babylon itself.

Antiochus V

King of Babylonia (163-162). Receiving the cognomen Eupator (“of a noble father”) Antiochus V’s rule was short-lived, and yet, it saw the quelling of the first Maccabean Rebellion. Antiochus IV is deposed and killed by his uncle. He is likely mentioned in the fragmentary Gold Theft Chronicle.