Editing Antiochus II Theos (section)

==Reign==
He inherited lasting tensions with [[Ptolemaic Kingdom|Ptolemaic Egypt]] and soon initiated the [[Syrian Wars|Second Syrian War]] in alliance with [[Antigonus II]] of the [[Antigonid Macedon|Antigonid dynasty]]. The war was largely fought along the coasts of [[Anatolia|Asia Minor]] and  conflated with the constant intrigues of petty despots and restless city-states in Asia Minor. Antiochus II made some gains in Asia Minor and acquired direct access to Aegean Sea by capturing [[Miletus]] and [[Ephesus]]. During the war he assumed the title ''Theos'' ([[Greek language|Greek]]: {{lang|grc|Θεός}}, "God"), being such to the Milesians in slaying the tyrant [[Timarchus of Miletus|Timarchus]].<ref>[[Appianus]], ''Syriaca'', 65.</ref> At around the same time Antiochus II also made some attempt to get a footing in [[Thrace]] which details are largely unknown and a mint in the city of [[Byzantium]] briefly issued coins in his name.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.historystudies.net/Makaleler/1269663898_12-Jordan%20Il%C4%B1ev..pdf|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140307220332/http://www.historystudies.net/Makaleler/1269663898_12-Jordan%20Il%C4%B1ev..pdf|url-status=dead|title=Dr. Jordan Iliev. "The Campaign of Antiochus II Theos in Thrace" - ''History Studies. International Journal of History'', 2013, 5/1, pp. 211-222.|archivedate=7 March 2014}}</ref>

In the end the war did little to alter the general balance of power in the Eastern Mediterranean. [[Coele-Syria]] in particular, the main disputed territory between the Seleucid empire and the Ptolemaic Kingdom, remained firmly in the hands of the Ptolemies. In 257 BC, the Ptolemaic [[pharaoh]] [[Ptolemy II Philadelphus]] even invaded the Seleucid-held part of Syria, though the outcome of this invasion is unknown. In 253 BC, with his Antigonid allies knocked out of the war by rebellions, Antiochus II made peace with Ptolemy II. As part of the settlement, Antiochus II divorced [[Laodice I|Laodice]] and married Ptolemy II's daughter [[Berenice (Seleucid queen)|Berenice]], with the understanding that any children born from their union would inherit the Seleucid throne.<ref name=Bromiley>Bromiley, ''International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: A-D'' p.144</ref> Laodice was well provided for in the divorce arrangement. Antiochus II gave her various land grants throughout Anatolia which are known through inscriptions;<ref>Billows, ''Kings and colonists: aspects of Macedonian imperialism'' p.126</ref> such as large estates in the [[Dardanelles|Hellespont]],<ref name=GraingerP47>Grainger, ''A Seleukid prosopography and gazetteer'' p.47</ref> other properties near [[Cyzicus]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.livius.org/la-ld/laodice/laodice_i.html|title=Laodice I article at Livius.org|access-date=26 March 2020|archive-date=27 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161027114816/http://www.livius.org/la-ld/laodice/laodice_i.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Troy|Ilion]] and in [[Caria]].<ref name=GraingerP47/> She was also granted revenues from various territories and tax exemptions.<ref>Aperghis,''The Seleukid royal economy: the finances and financial administration of the Seleukid empire'' p.144</ref> According to a royal record at [[Sardis]], her land titles were to be treated as in royal possession.<ref>Billows, ''Kings and colonists: aspects of Macedonian imperialism'' p.p.114-5</ref>

Laodice remained a very powerful and political influential figure and continued numerous intrigues to become queen again. By 246 BC, possibly at the news of Ptolemy II's death, Antiochus II had left Berenice and their infant son Antiochus in [[Antioch]] to live again with Laodice in Asia Minor.<ref name="EB1911"/> Antiochus II soon suddenly died and Laodice was widely accused of having him poisoned. Antiochus was buried in the [[Belevi Mausoleum]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.livius.org/be-bm/belevi/belevi.html|title=The Mausoleum of Antiochus II Theos|access-date=26 March 2020|archive-date=27 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150627045330/http://www.livius.org/be-bm/belevi/belevi.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

A succession struggle erupted almost immediately. Berenice initially had the advantage by holding Antioch but her son Antiochus was but an infant. Meanwhile, Laodice proclaimed her eldest son Seleucus as king [[Seleucus II]] and moved in from Asia Minor, claiming that on his deathbed Antiochus II reversed his earlier decision and named Seleucus as his successor.<ref name=Bromiley/> The then-reigning brother of Berenice [[Ptolemy III]] marched from Egypt to support his sister, only to find her and her son murdered by partisans of Laodice. Enraged Ptolemy continued the war, dubbed the [[Syrian Wars#Third Syrian War (246–241 BC)|Third Syrian War]] which proved to be a disaster for the Seleucid empire.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Gazetteer/Places/Africa/Egypt/_Texts/BEVHOP/6*.html|title=E. R. Bevan: The House of Ptolemy • Chap. VI|website=penelope.uchicago.edu}}</ref>