Antiochus III the Great

Antiochus III the Great (/ænˈtaɪəkəs/; Greek: Ἀντίoχoς Μέγας Antiochos Megas; c. 196 bc – 3 July 187 BC)^[1] was a Greek Hellenistic king. He was the 6th ruler of the Seleucid Empire. Antiochus ruled from 222 to 187 BC.^[2][3][4] He ruled over the region of Syria and large parts of the rest of western Asia at the end of the 3rd century BC. Antiochus took the throne at the age of eighteen in 222 BC. His early campaigns against the Ptolemaic Kingdom were not successful. In the following years, Antiochus gained several military victories. The empire expanded greatly under his rule. He assumed the title Basileus Megas (Greek for "Great King"). It was the traditional title of the Persian kings. Antiochus was a militarily active ruler. He restored much of the territory of the Seleucid Empire. This ended near the end of his rule with his war against Rome.

Antiochus III
Basileus Megas (Great King)
Bust from the Louvre, possibly Roman copy of Hellenistic portrait of Antiochus III
Basileus Megas of the Seleucid Empire
Reign	April/June 222– 3 July 187 BC (36 years)
Predecessor	Seleucus III Ceraunus
Successor	Seleucus IV Philopator
Born	c. 196 BC Susa, Seleucid Empire
Died	3 July 187 BC (aged 54) Susa, Seleucid Empire
Spouse	Laodice III Euboea of Chalcis
Issue	Antiochus Seleucus IV Philopator Ardys Laodice of Bactria Laodice IV, Queen of the Seleucid Empire Cleopatra I Syra, Queen of Egypt Antiochis, Queen of Cappadocia Antiochus IV
Full name Antiochos Mégas Ἀντίoχoς ὁ Μέγας ("Antiochus the Great")
Dynasty	Seleucid
Father	Seleucus II Callinicus
Mother	Laodice II
Religion	Greek polytheism

War against Rome

After Antiochus invaded Greece to conquer it from the Antigonid dynasty, he scared the Roman Republic into starting a war against him. The Romans beat him and forced him to sign a treaty and took his second son Antiochus IV Epiphanes hostage to make sure that he would listen to it.

Death

Shortly after his defeat against the Romans, Antiochus the Great invaded Persia and pillaged a temple. He was killed while doing that. His son Seleucus IV Philopator became the next king.