Editing Antiochus I of Commagene

{{Short description|King of Commagene from 70 to 31 BC}}
{{about|the King of Commagene of the first century&nbsp;{{sc|BC}}|the Seleucid King|Antiochus&nbsp;I Soter}}
{{pp|sock|small=yes}}
{{Infobox monarch
| name         = Antiochus&nbsp;I Theos
| succession   = King of [[Commagene]]
| image        = Nemrut Dag area A Commagene carving.jpg
| image_size   = 200px
| caption      = Antiochus&nbsp;I shaking hands with [[Herakles]]-[[Artagnes]]-[[Ares]] (at [[Arsameia]])
| reign        = 70–31&nbsp;{{sc|BC}}
| predecessor  = [[Mithridates I Callinicus]]
| successor    = [[Mithridates II of Commagene|Mithridates&nbsp;II]]
| full name    = Antiochus Theos Dikaios Epiphanes Philorhomaios Philhellenos
| issue        = {{plainlist|
*[[Mithridates II of Commagene|Mithridates&nbsp;II]]
*[[Laodice of Parthia]]
*[[Antiochus II of Commagene|Antiochus&nbsp;II]]
*[[Antiochis of Commagene|Antiochis]]
*Athenais}}
| house        = [[Orontid dynasty]]
| father       = [[Mithridates I Callinicus]]
| mother       = [[Laodice VII Thea]]
| birth_date   = 16 July 98&nbsp;{{sc|BC}}
| birth_place  =
| death_date   = 31&nbsp;{{sc|BC}}
| death_place  =
| place of burial = [[Mount Nemrut]]
| religion =  [[Ancient Greek religion|Greco]]-[[Zoroastrianism|Iranian]] religious syncretism
}}
'''Antiochus I Theos Dikaios Epiphanes Philorhomaios Philhellen''' ({{langx|grc|Ἀντίοχος ὁ Θεὸς Δίκαιος Ἐπιφανὴς Φιλορωμαῖος Φιλέλλην}}, meaning "Antiochos, the just, eminent god, friend of Romans and friend of Greeks", {{circa| 86&nbsp;{{sc|BC}} – 31&nbsp;{{sc|BC}}, ruled 70&nbsp;{{sc|BC}} – 31&nbsp;{{sc|BC}} }}) was king of the Greco-Iranian kingdom of [[Commagene]] and the most famous king of that kingdom.{{sfnp|Shayegan|2016|pp=8, 13}}

The ruins of the tomb-sanctuary of Antiochus atop [[Mount Nemrut]] in [[Turkey]] were added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1987. Several sandstone bas reliefs discovered at the site contain some of the oldest known images of two figures [[Handshake|shaking hands]].<ref name=Downey1997>
{{cite journal
 | last1 = Downey  | first1 = Susan B.
 | year = 1997
 | title = Nemrud Dagi: The hierothesion of Antiochus I of Commagene
 | journal = Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research
 | pages = 94–95
 | doi = 10.2307/1357708
 | last2 = Sanders | first2 = Donald B.
 | jstor = 1357708
 | issue = 307
}}
</ref>
The reliefs portrayed Greco-Iranian deities, along with the goddess Commagene and also even Antiochus himself represented in a deified status.{{sfnp|Shayegan|2016|p=13}} Antiochus was one of the last rulers of a Persian-[[Macedonians (Greeks)|Macedonian]] court before the advent of the [[Roman Republic|Romans]].{{sfnp|Canepa|2010|p=13}}

==Family, ancestry and early life==
Antiochus&nbsp;I was the son of king [[Mithridates I Callinicus]] and queen [[Laodice VII Thea]] of Commagene.{{sfnp|Widengren|1986|pp=135–136}} Antiochus was half [[Iranian peoples|Iranian]], a distant member of the [[Orontid dynasty]]<ref>{{harvnb|Marciak|2017|p=157}}; {{harvnb|Garsoian|2005}}; {{harvnb|Erskine|Llewellyn-Jones|Wallace|2017|p=75}}; {{harvnb|Babaie|Grigor|2015|p=80}}; {{harvnb|Sartre|2005|p=23}}; {{harvnb|Widengren|1986|pp=135–136}}; {{harvnb|Merz|Tieleman|2012|p=68}}; {{harvnb|Canepa|2010|p=13}}; {{harvnb|Ball|2002|p=436}}</ref> and half Greek.{{efn|“After taking over my paternal dominion (archē) […] I proclaimed that the kingdom (basileia) subject to my throne should be the common dwelling place of all the gods; and I decorated it with representations of their forms by all the kinds of art that the ancient traditions (logos) of Persians and Greeks – the fortunate roots of my ancestry – had handed down [to me], and honored them with sacrifices and festivals in accordance with the 
original law (nomos) and common practice (ethos) of all mankind ”{{sfn|Strootman|2021|p=297}}}} Antiochus' father Mithridates was the son of King [[Sames II Theosebes Dikaios]] of Commagene and an unidentified woman. Mithridates was possibly related to the kings of [[Arsacid Empire|Parthia]] and, in the light of archaeological discoveries at [[Mount Nemrut]], claimed descent from [[Orontes I|Orontes]] and also claimed [[Darius I]] of Persia as an ancestor, thanks to Orontes' marriage to Rhodogune, daughter of [[Artaxerxes II of Persia|Artaxerxes&nbsp;II]], who was a descendant of king [[Darius I]].

More certain are his dynastic connections to the [[Diadochi]]. Antiochus’ mother, [[Laodice VII Thea]], was a Greek princess of the [[Seleucid Empire]]. Laodice's father was the Seleucid King [[Antiochus VIII Grypus]], while her mother was a [[Ptolemaic dynasty|Ptolemaic]] princess and later Seleucid Queen Tryphaena (see [[Cleopatra VI of Egypt]]). Thus, Antiochus was a direct descendant of [[Seleucus I Nicator]] of the [[Seleucid Empire]], [[Ptolemy I Soter]] of [[Egypt]], [[Antigonus I Monophthalmus]] of [[Macedonia (ancient kingdom)|Macedonia]] and Asia, [[Lysimachus]] of [[Thrace]] and the [[Macedonia (ancient kingdom)|Macedonian]] regent, [[Antipater]]. These five men, the [[Diadochi]] 'successors', had served as generals under [[Alexander the Great]]. Antiochus’ parents had married as part of a peace alliance between their kingdoms. Little is known of his early life and education, aside from its philhellenic aspect; however, it seems that when his father died in 70&nbsp;{{sc|BC}}, Antiochus succeeded his father as king.

Antiochus married Isias, daughter of King [[Ariobarzanes I of Cappadocia]]. They had five children:
* [[Mithridates II of Commagene]], succeeded Antiochus as King of Commagene after his death in 31&nbsp;{{sc|BC}}
* [[Laodice of Parthia|Laodice]], who married [[Orodes II of Parthia|King Orodes&nbsp;II of Parthia]]
* [[Antiochus II of Commagene|Prince Antiochus II of Commagene]]
* [[Antiochis of Commagene]]

==Reign==
Commagene was a minor kingdom located in the highlands of northern [[Syria (region)|Syria]]; to the north, it bordered [[Cappadocia (kingdom)|Cappadocia]], while it bordered [[Osroene]] to the south.{{sfnp|Widengren|1986|pp=135–136}} It was initially a vassal state of the Seleucids, where it was considerably [[Hellenized]].{{sfnp|Widengren|1986|pp=135–136}}{{sfnp|Canepa|2010|p=13}} In the 1st&nbsp;century&nbsp;{{sc|BC}}, however, Iranian culture experienced a resurgence, intentionally supported by Commagene in order to highlight its ancient ancestry and refute Seleucid, Parthian and Roman claims over the area.{{sfnp|Canepa|2010|p=13}} Under Antiochus, his kingdom experienced hardships during the Roman war with [[Pontus (kingdom)|Pontus]] and [[Kingdom of Armenia (antiquity)|Armenia]].{{sfnp|Widengren|1986|pp=135–136}} Armenia at first managed to extend its influence over Commagene, but Antiochus was ultimately forced to side with the Romans when the commander [[Pompey]] declared war against him.{{sfnp|Widengren|1986|pp=135–136}}

Antiochus claims in his inscription on Mount Nemrut that he was a "friend of the Romans" (''philoromaios''), but was seen with some distrust by a few of the informants of Roman politician [[Cicero]].{{sfnp|Widengren|1986|pp=135–136}} His Iranian lineage made him lean toward the Parthian realm.{{sfnp|Widengren|1986|pp=135–136}} He enjoyed good relations with the king of [[Media Atropatene]], [[Darius I of Media Atropatene|Darius]], who seemingly helped him against Pompey.{{sfnp|Widengren|1986|pp=135–136}} Antiochus made an alliance with the Parthian monarch [[Orodes II]] ({{reign|57|37|era={{sc|BC}} }}), which was cemented with Orodes' marriage to Antiochus' daughter, [[Laodice of Parthia|Laodice]].{{sfnp|Dąbrowa|2018|p=80}} However, in 51&nbsp;{{sc|BC}} Antiochus provided Cicero with intelligence of the movements of a Parthian force led by prince [[Pacorus I]].{{sfnp|Widengren|1986|pp=135–136}} Ultimately Antiochus chose the Parthians over the Romans.{{sfnp|Widengren|1986|pp=135–136}} In 38&nbsp;{{sc|BCE}}, Pacorus was defeated and killed by the Romans; the remnants of his army fled to Commagene, where they took refuge.{{sfnp|Widengren|1986|pp=135–136}}

The Roman general [[Publius Ventidius]] marched towards Commagene to punish Antiochus for his desertion. He laid siege to the capital [[Samsat|Samosata]], where Antiochus resided. Antiochus attempted to reach a compromise by offering 1,000&nbsp;[[Talent (measurement)|talents]] as reimbursement and a renewed alliance with the Romans.{{sfnp|Widengren|1986|pp=135–136}} The Roman commander-in-chief [[Mark Antony]] declined the offer and had Ventidius' dismissed, with himself taking over the siege. He was, however, unable to capture the capital, and instead resorted to accept Antiochus' new offer of 300 talents.{{sfnp|Widengren|1986|pp=135–136}} The life of Antiochus becomes obscure after this; according to [[Cassius Dio]], he was killed by the Parthian king [[Phraates IV]], in {{circa|31&nbsp;{{sc|BC}} }}.{{sfnp|Widengren|1986|pp=135–136}}

==Mount Nemrut==
{{main|Mount Nemrut}}
[[File:Nemrut Dağı 13.jpg|thumb|Statues of gods and the pyramid-like tomb-sanctuary of King Antiochus Theos of Commagene rising behind, atop Mount Nemrut]]
[[File:Nemrut Dağı 07.jpg|thumb|upright|Head of Antiochus atop Mount Nemrut]]
Antiochus is famous for building the impressive religious sanctuary of [[Mount Nemrut]]. When Antiochus reigned as king he was creating a royal cult for himself and preparing to be worshipped after his death. Antiochus was inspired to create his own cult in the Greek form of the religion [[Zoroastrianism]]. Antiochus left many Greek inscriptions revealing many aspects of his religion and explaining his purpose of action. In one inscription, Antiochus directed that his tomb should be built in a high and holy place, remote from people and close to the gods, among whom he would be numbered. Antiochus wanted his body to be preserved for eternity. The gods he worshipped were a [[syncretism]] of [[Greek mythology|Greek]] and [[Iran]]ian gods, such as [[Heracles]]-[[Artagnes]]-[[Ares]], [[Zeus]]-[[Oromasdes]], and [[Apollo]]-[[Mithra]]s-[[Helios]]-[[Hermes]].{{sfnp|Widengren|1986|pp=135–136}}{{sfnp|Shayegan|2016|p=13}} The monumental effigies at the site show both Persian and Greek iconographic influences: Persian influences can be seen in the clothes, headgear and the colossal size of the images, while the depiction of their physical features derives from Greek artistic style.

Antiochus practised [[astrology]] of a very esoteric kind, and laid the basis for a calendrical reform, by linking the Commagenian year, which until then had been based on the movements of the Moon, to the Sothic (Star of [[Sirius]]) cycle used by the [[Ancient Egypt|Egyptians]] as the basis of their calendar. This would suggest that Antiochus was knowledgeable about, if not fully initiated into [[Hermeticism]].

Antiochus’ tomb complex was constructed in a way that religious festivities could occur there. Every month there were two feast days for Antiochus: His coronation, which was celebrated on the 10th of each month, and his birthday, which was celebrated on the 16th of each month. He allocated funds for these events from properties legally bound to the site. He also appointed families of priests and hierodules to conduct the rituals, and their descendants were intended to continue the ritual service in perpetuity. The priests wore traditional Persian robes and adorned the images of the gods and Antiochus' ancestors with gold crowns. The priests offered incense, herbs, and other unspecified "splendid sacrifices" on altars set before each image. All the citizens and military were invited to the banquets in honour of the illustrious deceased. During the feasts, grudging attitudes were forbidden and Antiochus decreed that the people should enjoy themselves, drink wine, eat, and listen to the sacred music performed by the temple musicians.

Antiochus’ tomb was forgotten for centuries, until 1883 when archaeologists from [[Germany]] excavated it. From his found inscriptions, Antiochus appears to have been a pious person and had a generous spirit. The ruins of the royal palace have been found in another city of the kingdom, [[Arsameia]]. This palace is known as ''Eski Kale'' or 'Old Castle'. In Arsameia, Antiochus left many inscriptions in Greek describing his public works program, and how he glorified the city.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}}

==Ancestry==
{{ahnentafel
|collapsed=yes |align=center
|boxstyle_1=background-color: #fcc;
|boxstyle_2=background-color: #fb9;
|boxstyle_3=background-color: #ffc;
|boxstyle_4=background-color: #bfc;
| 1 = 1. '''Antiochus&nbsp;I Theos of Commagene'''
| 2 = 2. [[Mithridates I Callinicus|King MithridatesI Callinicus of Commagene]]
| 3 = 3. [[Laodice VII Thea|Princess Laodice&nbsp;VII Thea of the Seleucid Empire]]
| 4 = 4. [[Sames II Theosebes Dikaios|King Sames&nbsp;II Theosebes Dikaios of Commagene]]
| 5 = 5. Princess Pythodoris of Pontus
| 6 = 6. [[Antiochus VIII Grypus|King Antiochus&nbsp;VIII Grypus of the Seleucid Empire]]
| 7 = 7. [[Tryphaena|Princess Tryphaena of Egypt]]
| 8 = 8. [[Ptolemaeus of Commagene|King Ptolemaeus of Commagene]]
| 9 =
|10 =
|11 =
|12 = 12. [[Demetrius II Nicator|King Demetrius&nbsp;II Nicator of the Seleucid Empire]]
|13 = 13. [[Cleopatra Thea|Princess Cleopatra Thea of Egypt]]
|14 = 14. [[Ptolemy VIII Physcon|Ptolemy&nbsp;VIII Physcon of Egypt]]
|15 = 15. [[Cleopatra III of Egypt]]
}}

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist|25em}}

==Sources==
{{refbegin|colwidth=25em|small=y}}
* {{cite web |title=Guide de la Turquie, Guide de Turquie |language=es, fr |trans-title=Guide to Turkey |website=Guide Martine (guide-martine.com) |url=http://www.guide-martine.com/southeastern3.asp |access-date=2015-11-03 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303175103/http://www.guide-martine.com/southeastern3.asp |archive-date=2016-03-03 |quote=Travel Guide to Turkey, Travel, Turkey, Voyage, Turquie, Istanbul, Turkey Photos, Photos de la Turquie}}
* {{cite report |first=Michael Alexander |last=Speidel |date=24 August 2005 |title=Early Roman rule in Commagene |publisher=Mavors Institute |url=http://www.mavors.org/PDFs/Commagene.pdf |access-date=2015-11-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151227175141/http://www.mavors.org/PDFs/Commagene.pdf |archive-date=27 December 2015}}
* {{cite dictionary |editor-last=Smith |editor-first=William |year=1870 |title=Antiochus&nbsp;I |dictionary=Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology |volume=1 |page=193 |url=http://www.ancientlibrary.com/smith-bio/0202.html |url-status=usurped |access-date=2015-11-03 |via=ancientlibrary.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060101020941/http://www.ancientlibrary.com/smith-bio/0202.html |archive-date=2006-01-01 |df=dmy-all}}
* {{cite web |editor-first=Chris |editor-last=Bennett |date=c. 2006 |title=Tryphaena |website=Egyptian Royal Genealogy |via=Tyndale House (tyndale.cam.ac.uk) |url=http://www.tyndale.cam.ac.uk/Egypt/ptolemies/tryphaena.htm#Tryphaena.12 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090519213953/http://www.tyndale.cam.ac.uk/Egypt/ptolemies/tryphaena.htm#Tryphaena.12 |archive-date=19 May 2009}}
* {{cite book |last=Campbell-Scott |first=Roger |year=1988 |chapter=Nimrud Dagh – a sacred mountain in Anatolia |title=Vanished Civilizations: The hidden secrets of lost cities and forgotten peoples |pages=194–197 |publisher=Reader's Digest Services |location=Hong Kong, CN |isbn=978-0-276-42658-2}}
* {{cite book |last=Ball |first=Warwick |year=2002 |title=Rome in the East: The transformation of an empire |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-134-82387-1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qQKIAgAAQBAJ |via=Google Books}}
* {{cite book |last=Canepa |first=Matthew |year=2010 |chapter=Achaemenid and Seleukid royal funerary practices and middle Iranian kingship |editor1-last=Börm |editor1-first=Henning |editor2-last=Weisehöfer |editor2-first=Josef |title=Commutatio et Contentio: Studies in the Late Roman, Sasanian, and Early Islamic Middle East in Memory of Zeev Rubin |publisher=Wellem |location=Dusseldorf, DE |pages=1–21 |url=https://www.academia.edu/348674 |via=academia.edu |url-access=registration}}
* {{cite journal |last=Dąbrowa |first=Edward |year=2018 |title=Arsacid dynastic marriages |journal=[[Electrum (journal)|Electrum]] |volume=25 |pages=73–83 |doi=10.4467/20800909EL.18.005.8925 |doi-access=free}}
* {{cite book |last=Beck |first=R. |year=2004 |title=Beck on Mithraism: Collected works with new essays |publisher=Ashgate |isbn=978-0-7546-4081-3 |page=297 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SIYTfTYrs1UC&pg=PA297 |access-date=2015-11-03}}
* {{cite encyclopedia |last=Widengren |first=G. |year=1986 |title=Antiochus of Commagene |encyclopedia=[[Encyclopaedia Iranica]] |at=Vol.&nbsp;II, Fasc.&nbsp;2, pages&nbsp;135–136 |url=http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/antiochus-of-commagene}}
* {{cite conference |last1=Merz |first1=Annette |last2=Tieleman |first2=Teun L. |date=2012 |book-title=The Letter of Mara bar Sarapion in Context: Proceedings of the Symposium Held at Utrecht University, 10–12 December 2009 |publisher=Brill |location=Leiden |isbn=978-90-04-23301-0}}
* {{cite book |last1=Babaie |first1=Sussan |first2=Talinn |last2=Grigor |year=2015 |title=Persian Kingship and Architecture: Strategies of power in Iran from the Achaemenids to the Pahlavis |publisher=I.B. Tauris |isbn=978-0-85773-477-8 |pages=1–288 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8GhsCgAAQBAJ&q=false}}
* {{cite book |last1=Erskine |first1=Andrew |last2=Llewellyn-Jones |first2=Lloyd |last3=Wallace |first3=Shane |year=2017 |title=The Hellenistic Court: Monarchic power and elite society from Alexander to Cleopatra |publisher=The Classical Press of Wales |isbn=978-1-910589-62-5}}
* {{cite encyclopedia |last=Garsoian |first=Nina |year=2005 |title=Tigran&nbsp;II |encyclopedia=[[Encyclopaedia Iranica]] |url=http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/tigran-ii}}
* {{cite book |last=Marciak |first=Michał |year=2017 |title=Sophene, Gordyene, and Adiabene: Three regna minora of northern Mesopotamia between east and west |publisher=Brill |isbn=978-90-04-35072-4 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hwEtDwAAQBAJ}}
* {{cite book |last=Sartre |first=Maurice |year=2005 |title=The Middle East under Rome |publisher=Harvard University Press |isbn=978-0-674-01683-5 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9y7nTpFcN3AC}}
* {{cite book |last=Shayegan |first=M. Rahim |year=2016 |chapter=The Arsacids and Commagene |editor-last1=Curtis |editor-first1=Vesta Sarkhosh |editor-last2=Pendleton |editor-first2=Elizabeth J. |editor-last3=Alram |editor-first3=Michael |editor-last4=Daryaee |editor-first4=Touraj |title=The Parthian and Early Sasanian Empires: Adaptation and expansion |publisher=Oxbow Books |isbn=978-1-78570-208-2}}
* {{cite book |chapter=Orontid kingship in its Hellenistic context: The Seleucid connections of Antiochos I of Kommagene |last=Strootman |first=Rolf |year=2021 |editor-first1=Blömer |editor-last1=Michael |editor-last2=Riedel |editor-first2=Stefan |editor-last3=Versluys |editor-first3=Miguel John |editor-last4=Winter |editor-first4=Engelbert |title=Common Dwelling Place of all the Gods |publisher=Franz Steiner Verlag Wiesbaden Gmbh |pages=295-317 }}

{{refend}}
{{s-start}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Mithridates I Callinicus]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of rulers of Commagene|King of Commagene]]|years=70–31&nbsp;{{sc|BCE}} }}
{{s-aft|after=[[Mithridates II of Commagene|Mithridates II]]}}
{{s-end}}

{{Hellenistic rulers}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Antiochus 01 of Commagene}}
[[Category:36 BC deaths]]
[[Category:1st-century BC monarchs in Asia]]
[[Category:1st-century BC Greek people]]
[[Category:1st-century BC Iranian people]]
[[Category:Kings of Commagene]]
[[Category:Year of birth unknown]]
[[Category:People of Antony's Parthian War]]
[[Category:80s BC births]]