Timarchus

Timarchos († 160 BC ) was a usurper in the Seleucid Empire, the BC parts of the empire ruled from about 163-160, minted its own coins and assumed the title of king.

Timarchos probably came from Miletus. His father was a certain Heraclides. His grandfather was the same Milesian tyrant who was killed by Antiochus II policy. Timarchos and his younger brother were childhood friends of Antiochus IV They were probably composed in Rome ( 178/77 BC). With the beginning of Antiochus IV government was Timarchos satrap of Media and probably also of Babylonia. His brother Heraclides was appointed treasurer. Timarchos was now governor-general of Upper satrapies. Timarchos was now an important court official who was sent as ambassador to Rome. Thus he acquired good contacts with the Roman Senate. In the year 162 he was back in Rome, where he received the permission to wear the title of king.

In the following years Timarchos media was able to successfully defend against the invading Parthians. In the turmoil after the death of Antiochus IV in 164 BC Timarchos was virtually independent ruler in the media. After Antiochus V, the successor of Antiochus IV, was killed by Demetrius I, Timarchos took the title of king. Demetrius I could Timarchos in the year 160 BC hit, killed him and received because of this victory the Beititel Soter ( "Savior ").