Leu Numismatik AG
Web Auction 24 3-6 Dec 2022
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SELEUKID KINGS OF SYRIA. Timarchos, usurper, 164-161 BC. AE (Bronze, 17 mm, 6.49 g, 12 h), uncertain mint. Cornucopiae within laurel wreath. Rev. BΑΣΙΛΕ[ΩΣ] / ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ - ΤΙΜΑΡΧΟΥ Niek advancing left, holding wreath in her right hand. SC 1608. Extremely rare. Struck slightly off center and with a flan fault on the obverse, otherwise, about very fine.
Timarchos was a retainer of Antiochos IV who was first employed as ambassador to Rome and later became satrap of one of the eastern satrapies, most likely Media. When Demetrios I overthrew Antiochos V, Timarchos rebelled, quickly securing recognition from the Roman Senate and claiming the title of 'Great King' on his coins. The latter was an innovation - no previous Seleukid ruler had employed this title on their coins - and it probably served to link Timarchos to the Greco-Bactrian king, Eukratides I. The latter claimed the title of 'Great King' after his successful campaigns in India, and some of Timarchos' tetradrachms directly copy those of Eukratides, showing him wearing a Macedonian helmet on the obverse and the Dioskouroi on horseback on the reverse. All this indicates friendly relations between the two men, most likely in the face of common foes, such as the Parthians. Demetrios I, on the other hand, was building up his forces in Antioch and in early 161, he marched out against Timarchos, defeating and killing the rebellious governor in battle near Babylon.
Timarchos was a retainer of Antiochos IV who was first employed as ambassador to Rome and later became satrap of one of the eastern satrapies, most likely Media. When Demetrios I overthrew Antiochos V, Timarchos rebelled, quickly securing recognition from the Roman Senate and claiming the title of 'Great King' on his coins. The latter was an innovation - no previous Seleukid ruler had employed this title on their coins - and it probably served to link Timarchos to the Greco-Bactrian king, Eukratides I. The latter claimed the title of 'Great King' after his successful campaigns in India, and some of Timarchos' tetradrachms directly copy those of Eukratides, showing him wearing a Macedonian helmet on the obverse and the Dioskouroi on horseback on the reverse. All this indicates friendly relations between the two men, most likely in the face of common foes, such as the Parthians. Demetrios I, on the other hand, was building up his forces in Antioch and in early 161, he marched out against Timarchos, defeating and killing the rebellious governor in battle near Babylon.