ANTIOCHUS IV., EPIPHANES (176-164 B.C.), defeated Egypt's attempt to reconquer Palestine and invaded and occupied Egypt until later driven out by the Romans. He is also known for his attempt to suppress Judaism by force, his persecutions resulting in the Maccabaean rebellion. Antiochus VII. Sidetes (138-129 B.c.) was the last strong ruler of the dynasty. He conquered Jerusalem and died fighting the Parthians.
The name was also borne by the kings of Commagene (69 B.C.—A.D. 72), whose house was affiliated to the Seleucid. ANTIOCHUS I. of Commagene, who without sufficient reason has been identified with the Seleucid Antiochus XIII. Asiaticus, made peace on advantageous terms with Pompey in 64 B.C. Subsequently he fought on Pompey's side in the Civil War, and later still repelled an attack on Samosata by Marcus Antonius (Mark Antony). He died before 31 B.C. and was succeeded by one Mithridates I. This Mithridates was succeeded by an ANTIOCHUS II., who was executed by Augustus in 29 B.C. After another Mithridates we know of an ANTIOCHUS III., on whose death in A.D. 17 Commagene became a Roman province. In 38 his SOn ANTIOCHUS IV. EPIPHANES was made king by Caligula, who deposed him almost immediately. Restored by Claudius in 41, he reigned until 72 as an ally of Rome against Parthia. In that year he was deposed on suspicion of treason and retired to Rome. Several of his coins are extant.