IX. ANTIOCHUS OF CYZICUS, Brother by the Mother to Antiochus Gryphus, and the Son of Cleopatra and Antiochus Sidetes his Uncle, was brought up at Cyzicus by his Mother Cleopatra, who was apprehensive, lest Demetrius Nicanor, her first Husband, should kill him. Hence he is called the Cyzicenian, or Antiochus of Cyzicus. Cyzicus is a City in Asia Minor upon the Propontis. Antiochus Gryphus having undertaken to poison Antiochus of Cyzicus his Brother, the latter levied troops, and prevented the effects of Gryphus’s ill Will to him1. We have seen in the preceding Article, how Gryphus after he had won the first Battle, was defeated in a second, and how the two Brothers were reconciled, so that Syria continued in the possession of Gryphus, and the Cyzicenian had Cœle-Syria. This last seeing himself in a state of Tranquillity, gave himself up to Debauchery of all kinds, to the Pleasures of Eating and Drinking, Hunting, Shews, Buffoonries, and the making of Machines and Clockworks, which by the help of certain threads and wheels performed very surprizing Movements2.
In the Year of the World 3895. before J. C. 105. before the vulg. Æra 109.In the mean while John Hircanus, Prince and High Priest of the Jews, besieged Samaria; and the City being reduced by Famine to Extremities, the Samaritans invited Antiochus of Cyzicus to their Assistance. This Prince came speedily to their Succour, but was overcome by Antigonus and Aristobulus the Sons of John Hircanus, who commanded the Siege, and pursued him as far as Scythopolis. After which they returned to the Siege of Samaria, and blocked up the City so close, that the inhabitants were once more obliged to have recourse to Antiochus of Cyzicus3. This Prince having received six thousand Men from Ptolemy Lathyrus, the Son of Cleo4 patra Queen of Egypt, laid waste the lands belonging to the Jews, imagining that he should hereby oblige Hircanus to raise the Siege of Samaria. But his Troops were at last dispersed, and Samaria taken by Storm, In the Year of the World 3895. before J.C 105. before the vulg. Æra 109.and razed by Hircanus5. Antiochus was conquered and put to death by Seleucus the Son of Antiochus Gryphus6, in the year of the World 3910, before J.C. 90, before the vulgar Æra 94. Justin says, that Antiochus of Cyzicus died in Battle; Josephus, that he was taken and executed by Seleucus; Porphyry in Eusebius, that he killed himself, being upon the point of falling into his Enemy’s hands. He reigned eighteen years. He left a Son named Antiochus, and firnamed the Pious. But as there is no mention made of him in Scripture, and the Story of him has no relation to the History of the Jews, we shall say no more of him in this place.
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