Name Seleucus Philometor Died 125 BC | Cousins Antiochus IX Cyzicenus Uncles Antiochus VII Sidetes | |
Parents Demetrius II Nicator, Cleopatra Thea Grandparents Cleopatra II of Egypt, Demetrius I Soter, Ptolemy VI Philometor Great-grandparents Cleopatra I Syra, Ptolemy V Epiphanes, Seleucus IV Philopator, Laodice IV Similar People Cleopatra Thea, Ptolemy VI Philometor, Ptolemy VIII Physcon, Antiochus IV Epiphanes | ||
The Seleucid king Seleucus V Philometor (Greek: Σέλευκος Ε΄ ὁ Φιλομήτωρ; 126 – 125 BC), ruler of the Hellenistic Seleucid kingdom, was the eldest son of Demetrius II Nicator and Cleopatra Thea. The epithet Philometor means "mother-loving" and in the Hellenistic world usually indicated that the mother acted as co-regent for the prince.
Biography
Either he or his half brother Antiochus IX Cyzicenus is probably identical with the ephemeral child ruler Antiochus Epiphanes, who was crowned by Cleopatra Thea after the death of Antiochus VII but before Demetrius II returned to Antioch. The child Antiochus Epiphanes, who is known from coins, was deposed—but not killed—when Demetrius II was restored in 129 BC.
In 126 BC Demetrios II was murdered at the instigation of his wife, Cleopatra Thea. Now she herself took power and soon also killed her oldest surviving son Seleucus V. Two different motives are given as reason for this deed: According to one version he had attempted to claim the throne without her agreement, according to the other version she was afraid that he might avenge the assassination of his father.