Antiochus IV Epiphanes vs Phraates IV

Antiochus IV Epiphanes became king of the Seleucid Empire after the death of his brother Seleucus IV Philopator. He seized power while the rightful heir, Demetrius I, was a hostage in Rome. His reign was marked by ambitious expansion and Hellenization policies.

Antiochus IV invaded Ptolemaic Egypt, capturing much of the country and besieging Alexandria. He was forced to withdraw after the Roman envoy Gaius Popillius Laenas delivered an ultimatum, famously drawing a circle in the sand around Antiochus and demanding an answer before he left it.

Antiochus IV issued decrees forbidding Jewish religious practices, including Sabbath observance and circumcision. He ordered the erection of an altar to Zeus in the Second Temple in Jerusalem and sacrificed pigs, an act known as the 'Abomination of Desolation'. This sparked the Maccabean Revolt.

Antiochus IV died during a military campaign in Persia, possibly from disease or in battle. His death left the Seleucid Empire weakened and facing internal revolts, including the ongoing Maccabean Revolt in Judea.

Phraates IV murdered his father Orodes II and his brothers to secure the Parthian throne. This act of fratricide and patricide destabilized the Parthian court and led to a period of internal conflict and noble revolts.

Phraates IV faced a rebellion by the Parthian noble Tiridates II, who briefly seized the throne and minted coins in his own name. Phraates was forced to flee to the Scythians before returning with aid to crush the revolt and regain power.

Phraates IV negotiated a diplomatic settlement with the Roman emperor Augustus, returning the Roman standards captured at Carrhae and releasing Roman prisoners. In exchange, Augustus recognized Parthian control over Armenia and established a period of peace between the two empires.