Editing 164 BC

{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2011}}
{{Year nav|-164}}
{{BC year in topic|164}}
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Year '''164 BC''' was a year of the [[Roman calendar|pre-Julian Roman calendar]]. At the time it was known as the '''Year of the Consulship of Torquatus and Longinus''' (or, less frequently, '''year 590 ''[[Ab urbe condita]]'''''). The denomination 164 BC for this year has been used since the early medieval period, when the [[Anno Domini]] [[calendar era]] became the prevalent method in Europe for naming years.

== Events ==
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=== By place ===

==== Egypt ====
* The [[Ancient Egypt|Egyptian]] King [[Ptolemy VI Philometor]] is expelled from [[Alexandria]] by his brother [[Ptolemy VIII Euergetes]] and flees to [[Roman Republic|Rome]] to seek support.

==== Seleucid Empire ====
* The [[Seleucid]] king [[Antiochus IV Epiphanes]] died while on a campaign in Tabae (or Gabae, now [[Isfahan]]) in [[Iran|Persia]]. He is succeeded by his son [[Antiochus V Eupator]] who is only nine years old. The regent for the boy is the late king's chancellor, [[Lysias (Syrian chancellor)|Lysias]], who was left in charge of Syria when Antiochus IV departed for his campaign in Persia. Lysias is, however, seriously challenged by other Syrian generals and finds himself with a precarious hold on power. To make matters worse for him, the [[Roman Senate]] is holding [[Demetrius I Soter|Demetrius]], the son of the former king [[Seleucus IV Philopator|Seleucus IV]] and, therefore, the rightful heir to the Seleucid throne, as a hostage. By threatening to release him, the Senate can influence events in the Seleucid kingdom.
* The [[Battle of Beth Zur]] was fought between Jewish rebel forces led by [[Judas Maccabeus]] and a Seleucid army led by the regent Lysias. Judas Maccabeus wins the battle and is able to recapture [[Jerusalem]] soon after. Judas purifies the defiled [[Temple in Jerusalem]], destroys the [[Cult image|idols]] erected there by Antiochus IV and restores the service in the Temple. The reconsecration of the Temple becomes an annual feast of dedication in the Jewish calendar, [[Hanukkah]].

==== Roman Republic ====
* [[Rhodes]] signs a treaty with Rome and becomes its ally.
* [[Lucius Aemilius Paullus Macedonicus]] is elected [[Roman censor|censor]] in Rome.

=== By topic ===

==== Art ====
* Construction of the detail of the frieze from the east front of the altar in [[Pergamon]], ''Athena Attacking the Giants'', begins and is finished [[156 BC|eight years later]]. It is now kept at the [[Staatliche Museen zu Berlin]], [[Antikensammlung]], [[Pergamonmuseum]] in [[Berlin]], [[Germany]].
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==== Astronomy ====
* [[Halley's Comet]] makes its regular appearance in the sky, as recorded by a [[Babylonian astronomy|Babylonian]] scribe.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ANOTHER VIEW OF HALLEY'S COMET -- FROM 164 B.C. |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1986-01-02-8601010246-story.html |access-date=2022-04-26 |website=Chicago Tribune |date=January 2, 1986 |language=en}}</ref> It last appeared in [[240 BC]].

== Births ==
* [[Cleopatra Thea]] Euergetis ("Benefactress"), ruler of the [[Seleucid]] kingdom from [[125 BC]], a daughter of [[Ptolemy VI Philometor|Ptolemy VI]] of Egypt and his sister/wife [[Cleopatra II of Egypt|Cleopatra II]] (d. [[121 BC]]) (approximate date)

== Deaths ==
* [[Antiochus IV Epiphanes]] ("God Manifest"), [[Seleucid]] king of the [[Syria]]n kingdom who has reigned since [[175 BC]], and has encouraged Greek culture and institutions but also attempted to suppress [[Jew|Judaism]], which has led to the uprisings in [[Judea]] towards the end of his reign (b. c. [[215 BC]])

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

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[[Category:164 BC| ]]