Seleucus V Philometor facts for kids

Seleucus V Philometor was a young King of the Seleucid Empire, an ancient kingdom that was part of the Hellenistic world. This means it was a kingdom influenced by Greek culture after the time of Alexander the Great. Seleucus V was the oldest son of King Demetrius II Nicator and Queen Cleopatra Thea.

His special name, Philometor, means "mother-loving" in Greek. In ancient times, this name often meant that a mother was helping her son rule as a co-regent.

Becoming King: A Family Story

Seleucus V's journey to the throne was complicated. His father, Demetrius II, had been a prisoner of the Parthians, a rival empire.

The Return of Demetrius II

In 129 BC, the Parthian king Phraates II released Demetrius II. Demetrius then returned to Syria, which was the heart of the Seleucid kingdom. This return meant that Seleucus V's half-brother, Antiochus IX, had to leave the capital city.

After his return, Demetrius II reunited with his wife, Cleopatra Thea. They also reunited with their two sons, Seleucus V and his younger brother, Antiochus VIII Grypus.

A Rival Claim to the Throne

Before Demetrius II returned, another Seleucid king, Antiochus VII Sidetes, had died fighting the Parthians. Antiochus VII had taken his own son (also named Seleucus) and Seleucus V's sister, Laodice, with him on his military campaign. When Antiochus VII died, his son Seleucus and Laodice were captured by the Parthians.

The Parthian king, Phraates II, married Laodice. He showed great kindness to Antiochus VII's son, Seleucus. Later, when Demetrius II was fighting a civil war against a person who claimed to be king, Alexander II Zabinas, Phraates sent this other Seleucus back to Syria. The Parthians hoped he would become a puppet king, controlled by them. However, this plan did not work, and the other Seleucus returned to Parthia, where he later died.

The Short Reign of Seleucus V

Seleucus V's father, Demetrius II, was killed near the city of Tyre in 125 BC. After his father's death, Seleucus V, as the oldest son, claimed the throne. He became king, but his reign was very short.

A Mother's Fear

According to ancient writers, Seleucus V was killed by his own mother, Cleopatra Thea. She had been involved in the death of Demetrius II. She worried that Seleucus V might try to get revenge for his father's murder. Because of this fear, Cleopatra Thea decided to remove Seleucus V from power. She wanted his younger brother, Antiochus VIII, to become king instead.

See also

In Spanish: Seleuco V Filométor para niños