Numismata hellenica: a catalogue of Greek coins; with notes, a map ...

24 KINGS OF SYRIA.
Metal
M
M
M
M
M
JE
M
JE
M
M
M
Size
3+
3+
3
4J-
3
3
3
Weight
263-1
262-3
Laureate head of Apollo to r. with long hair. R. [B]aSIAEq[S] ANTIoXo[Y].
Tripod ; below it an anchor ; in field r. and I. uncertain monograms.
Another similar.
Another ; in field I. mon. 39 ; in field r. mon. 114 ; anchor under tripod, not visible.
SELEUCUS II. iCaUinicus),
Son of Antiochus II. and Laodice., began to reign
b.c. 246.
Note.— Like many of the epithets or surnames of the Egyptian and Syrian monarchs, that of Calli-
nicuB was the reverse of that which Seleucus II. deserved. He lost all Syria to Ptolemseus Euer-
getes; was unable to expel his brother Antiochus Hierax from the western parts of Asia Minor ;
was defeated by him in union with Mithridates of Pontus and the Gauls at Ancyra ; and again by
Arsaces, who detained him as a prisoner nine years in Parthia. It was in the reign of Callinicus also
that Attalus obtained possession, at the expense of the Seleucidse, of some of the central parts of Asia
Minor, which thenceforth became a portion of the Pergamenian kingdom.
Diademate portrait of Seleucus II. to r., beardless, but with a whisker. R. BA2I-
AEQS 2EAEYK0Y. Apollo standing to I., with an arrow in his right hand, and
leaning on a tripod; in field I. mon. 99 ; in field r.
o-
Note.— I O may be read HO, and these letters may indicate either the 77th or 78th year of the sera
of the Seleucidae, corresponding to the second or third year of the reign of Seleucus II.
Same portrait. B. Same legend and type ; in field I. mon. 115.
Laureate head of Apollo to r., with long platted hair on the neck ; behind, an uncer-
tain monogram. B. BASIAEQ2; 2EAEYK0Y. Apollo standing to I., leaning
on tripod; in right hand arrow; in field l. mons. 116 and 117.— Serrated
com.
Another ; with mon. behind the head. R. In field I. a mon.—Serrated coin.
Another similar.— Serrated coin.
Another. B. In field I. mon. 1 1 8.— Serrated coin.
Bust of Diana. R. BASIAEQS 2EAEYK0Y. Prow of galley to I. ; above, AN.—
Serrated coin.
Another similar.
Head of Pallas to r. R. BA2IAEQS SEAEYKoY. Apollo to I., leaning on bow ;
in right hand, an arrow.
Diademate portrait of Seleucus II. to r., as on M 8. R. [BASIAEqS] [SE]AEYKoY.
Horse walking to I. ; under it a round shield, on which is an anchor.
Diademate bearded head of Seleucus II. to r. R. BaSIAEqs SEAEYKoY. Pegasus
at full speed to I.
Another. From the Pembroke Collection (1161).
Note.—The long beard on these portraits are accounted for by Polybius (2, 71)j from whom we
learn that Seleucus II. was surnamed Pogon, evidently from his custom of wearing a beard. Seleu-
cus II. and Demetrius II. are alone among the Seleucidce represented with long beards, and doubt-
less for the same reason ; namely, that they had acquired the custom during the large portion of
their nominal reigns, which they had been constrained to pass in Parthia.
SELEUCUS III. {Soter, Ceramus),
Son of Seleucus II., began to reign b.c. 226.
Note.—The original name of Seleucus III. was Alexandras, but he preferred the former, and added
to it the title of Soter, as appears from an inscription copied by Pococke, at Seleuceia, on the Orontes.
On crossing the Taurus against Attalus, he was complimented by his army with the surname
Ceraunus, but he met with little success, and was assassinated by conspirators in the third year of
his reign.