Derek | The Hellenistic Age Podcast

Now reading:
“Ancient Antioch: From the Seleucid Era to the Islamic Conquest” - Andrea U. De Giorgi

A history of the most famous Seleucid foundation, going from one of many capitals to a premier city rivaled only by Rome and Alexandria.

Thank you to listener Scott for donating!

Hope you've enjoyed our latest episode!

Next time we return to Syria, as the reign of the boy-king Antiochus V Eupator and regent Lysias is troubled by usurpers, Maccabees, and arrogant Romans. Yet the biggest threat was his uncle Demetrius, who escapes Italy to reclaim the throne. Stay tuned!

Hope you've enjoyed our latest episode!

Next time we return to Syria, as the reign of the boy-king Antiochus V Eupator and regent Lysias is troubled by usurpers, Maccabees, and arrogant Romans. Yet the biggest threat was his uncle Demetrius, who escapes Italy to reclaim the throne. Stay tuned!

In antiquity, there was a popular Greek expression known as “tria kappa kakista” essentially “the three bad k’s”: this refers to Cilicia, Cappadocia, and Crete. These regions were notorious for producing brigands, mercenaries, pirates, and other “lowly“ professions.

(Suda, s.v. tria kappa kakista)

A silver denarius, issued by Octavian (now the Emperor Augustus) in 28 BC. The reverse of this coin shows a Nile Crocodile with the phrase “AEGYPTO CAPTA” (“Egypt is Captured”), celebrating his victory over Cleopatra VII and annexation of Egypt

📸 Art Institute of Chicago (9/2025)

110: Ptolemaic Egypt – Two’s Company, Three’s a Crowd In the aftermath of the Sixth Syrian War, the tripartite division of authority between Ptolemy VI , Cleopatra II, and Ptolemy VIII was a tenuous one at best, having to deal with rebellions of ambit…

New episode!
110: Ptolemaic Egypt - Two's Company, Three's a Crowd

The tripartite division of power between Ptolemy VI, Ptolemy VIII, and Cleopatra II proves shaky, and the Romans are called to handle one of the most dysfunctional families in antiquity.

tinyurl.com/yc5am3ky

110: Ptolemaic Egypt – Two’s Company, Three’s a Crowd In the aftermath of the Sixth Syrian War, the tripartite division of authority between Ptolemy VI , Cleopatra II, and Ptolemy VIII was a tenuous one at best, having to deal with rebellions of ambit…

New episode!
110: Ptolemaic Egypt - Two's Company, Three's a Crowd

The tripartite division of power between Ptolemy VI, Ptolemy VIII, and Cleopatra II proves shaky, and the Romans are called to handle one of the most dysfunctional families in antiquity.

tinyurl.com/yc5am3ky

Now reading: “War in the Hellenistic World” by Angelos Chaniotis

Rather than tactics or strategy, this work delves into the ideology, motivations, and consequences of warfare throughout the Hellenistic Age, an era that saw a great number of macro- and micro-level conflicts.

Now reading: “War in the Hellenistic World” by Angelos Chaniotis

Rather than tactics or strategy, this work delves into the ideology, motivations, and consequences of warfare throughout the Hellenistic Age, an era that saw a great number of macro- and micro-level conflicts.

“Should any mortal fate befall me before I can leave behind heirs to the throne, I bequeath the kingdom that belongs to me to the Romans, for whom I have from the beginning preserved our friendship and alliance with sincerity. "
-Ptolemy VIII Physcon, March 155 B.C. (SEG 9.7)

📸 A marble bust identified as that of Ptolemy VIII, currently housed at the Yale University Art Gallery (2018.5.1)

“Should any mortal fate befall me before I can leave behind heirs to the throne, I bequeath the kingdom that belongs to me to the Romans, for whom I have from the beginning preserved our friendship and alliance with sincerity. "
-Ptolemy VIII Physcon, March 155 B.C. (SEG 9.7)

Robin Lane Fox’s is masterfully written, even if somewhat out of date on a few points. Would suggest that or Peter Green’s “Alexander of Macedon”.

If they want to learn more about King Philip, Adrian Goldsworthy‘s “Philip and Alexander” does a far better job on the former figure than latter.

Archaeologists Discover Unique Hieroglyphic Version of Ptolemy III’s Canopus Decree - Arkeonews Archaeologists in Egypt uncover a rare and complete hieroglyphic version of the Canopus Decree of King Ptolemy III at Tell el-Pharaeen

Exciting news: a new copy of the Canopus Decree of 238 BC, written during the reign of Ptolemy III and Berenice II, has been found intact and providing us with a Hieroglyphic version for the first time. Looking forward to any new insights gleaned from it.

arkeonews.net/archaeologis...

Now reading:
“Comparing the Ptolemaic and Seleucid Empires: Integration, Communication, and Resistance”
- ed. C. Fischer-Bovet and S. von Reden

A recent publication offering a cross examination of the two mightiest Hellenistic empires (and the fiercest rivals). Thanks to listeners for donating!

Now reading:
“Comparing the Ptolemaic and Seleucid Empires: Integration, Communication, and Resistance”
- ed. C. Fischer-Bovet and S. von Reden

A recent publication offering a cross examination of the two mightiest Hellenistic empires (and the fiercest rivals). Thanks to listeners for donating!

I hope you've enjoyed the newest episode!

Next time, we'll return to Egypt to see how Ptolemy VI, Ptolemy VIII, and Cleopatra II recover from their near-destruction in the Sixth Syrian War: by immediately plotting to oust each other out of power. Did you expect anything less?

Stay tuned!

I hope you've enjoyed the newest episode!

Next time, we'll return to Egypt to see how Ptolemy VI, Ptolemy VIII, and Cleopatra II recover from their near-destruction in the Sixth Syrian War: by immediately plotting to oust each other out of power. Did you expect anything less?

Stay tuned!

The AskHistorians Podcast: AskHistorians Podcast Episode 243 Doing Hellenistic History, with the Hellenistic Age Podcast Hello and welcome back!  On this episode, Steelcan909 and the host of the Hellenistic Age Podcast discuss the challenges of doing history on poorly recorded times in history, the influence of…

A new #Podcast is out #Skystorians! We sit down with @hellenisticpod.bsky.social to discuss the challenges of doing history on poorly recorded times in history, the influence of Hollywood on perceptions of the time period & what historical records we wish were still around!

109: The Seleucid Empire – A Sinful Root Despite the humiliation at Eleusis in 167 and the troubles in Judea, Antiochus organizes an enormous festival in Daphne to rival the games of Lucius Aemilius Paulus in Amphipolis, showcasing the pr…

*New Episode*
109: The Seleucid Empire - A Sinful Root

Despite the humiliation at Eleusis, Antiochus organizes an enormous festival at Daphne to peacock his empire's strength, but his death in Iran in 164 would start the dynasty down the path that would lead to its destruction

tinyurl.com/3z9b5sts

Something tells me that Ptolemy VIII is going to be a fan-favorite of the show. This guy is a real piece of work.

I hope you've enjoyed our latest episode!

Next time, we conclude the reign of Antiochus IV, who holds an enormous celebration in Daphne to dazzle the Greek world, before departing on his ill-fated anabasis into the Upper Satrapies, leaving the empire dancing on a knife's edge.

Stay tuned!

I hope you've enjoyed our latest episode!

Next time, we conclude the reign of Antiochus IV, who holds an enormous celebration in Daphne to dazzle the Greek world, before departing on his ill-fated anabasis into the Upper Satrapies, leaving the empire dancing on a knife's edge.

Stay tuned!

An Egyptian Queen’s Gold Coin Unearthed in Jerusalem Means a Rare Glimpse into Hellenistic Power Archaeologists in Jerusalem uncovered a rare gold coin of Queen Berenice II, offering new insight into Hellenistic power, Jerusalem’s vitality, and the unusual prominence of a female ruler.

An Egyptian Queen’s Gold Coin Unearthed in Jerusalem Means a Rare Glimpse into Hellenistic Power - Numismatic News
www.numismaticnews.net/egyptian-que...

Sardis has some nice perks:
- Can see the remains of the Royal Road from Persian rule
- One of the largest intact synagogues from antiquity
- A lovely basilica
- Can be done in about 1-2 hours

I can’t speak to the other ones, but if you can pair Sardis with a drive up Mt. Sipylus/Spil Dag, do it!

Seleucid troops from the Daphne Procession of Antiochus IV in 166/165 B.C. The painting depicts cataphracts (left), a rider of the Companion cavalry (top right), and a mercenary of the “thureophoroi” (bottom right).

Painted by the late great Angus McBride.

108: The Seleucid Empire – The Maccabean Revolt The tension between the various factions vying for power in Jerusalem leads to a crisis, when Antiochus IV retaliates by attacking the city and plunders its famed Temple in 168. A wave of persecuti…

108: The Seleucid Empire - The Maccabean Revolt

Chaos in Jerusalem leads Antiochus IV to plunder its famed Temple. In response, a rebellion spearheaded by Judas Maccabee ("the Hammer") and the Hasmoneans re-captures the Temple, forming the basis of the Hanukkah story.

tinyurl.com/yc8ycaur

108: The Seleucid Empire – The Maccabean Revolt The tension between the various factions vying for power in Jerusalem leads to a crisis, when Antiochus IV retaliates by attacking the city and plunders its famed Temple in 168. A wave of persecuti…

108: The Seleucid Empire - The Maccabean Revolt

Chaos in Jerusalem leads Antiochus IV to plunder its famed Temple. In response, a rebellion spearheaded by Judas Maccabee ("the Hammer") and the Hasmoneans re-captures the Temple, forming the basis of the Hanukkah story.

tinyurl.com/yc8ycaur

Now reading:
“The Civil Wars” - Appian

Writing in the second century AD, the historian Appian of Alexandria provides us with the only comprehensive account of the late Roman Republic from the reforms of the Gracchi down to the formation of the Second Triumvirate (133-35 BC).

N: Goose Bay Air Base, Newfoundland, Canada
E: Amman, Jordan
W: Glacier National Park, Montana U.S.
S: Miami, Florida U.S.

Would it surprise you to hear that my northernmost and easternmost visits happened on the same trip within less than 24 hours?