Aristonicus was the disputed heir of Attalus III of Pergamon, who willed his kingdom to the Roman Republic in 133 BC. In his rebellion, he famously recruited slaves and peasants, whom he named 'Heliopolitans' - Citizens of the City of the Sun

📷 taken 9/2023 in Bergama

In the next episode, Antiochus III invades Greece on the invitation of Aetolia, leading to Rome's own declaration of war in 192. Near Magnesia-ad-Sipylum, the fate of the Hellenistic world would be decided in a final clash between the king and consul Lucius Scipio. Stay tuned!

In the next episode, Antiochus III invades Greece on the invitation of Aetolia, leading to Rome's own declaration of war in 192. Near Magnesia-ad-Sipylum, the fate of the Hellenistic world would be decided in a final clash between the king and consul Lucius Scipio. Stay tuned!

091: The Fifth Syrian War

The chaos of Egypt enabled Antiochus III to launch the Fifth Syrian War (202-195), finally seizing the long contested lands of Coele Syria for his own. This would draw the eyes of the Roman Republic, leading to future conflict.

tinyurl.com/dhksjzdn

Enjoying the show? Consider donating through the podcast Patreon page, where you can help me acquire research materials and do maintenance. The link can be found below:

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The “basement” of ancient Smyrna (modern Izmir, Turkey).

📷 taken 9/2023

The “basement” of ancient Smyrna (modern Izmir, Turkey).

📷 taken 9/2023

The Temple of Trajan in Pergamon. Seated atop the Acropolis, its construction began in the reign of Trajan, and was finally finished during that of his successor Hadrian.

📷 Bergama, Turkey, 9/2023

A tidal wave of new primary sources from the ancient world could very soon be on its way - enough to keep scholars busy for decades! The first words have being read from digitally ‘unrolled’ carbonised scrolls from a Roman library in Herculaneum! (Image: Nat Friedman)

The ruins of Sardis (modern Sart, Turkey). Once the capital of the Lydian Empire, then a provincial capital of the Persian Empire, Sardis remained an important administrative center under the Seleucid dynasty.

A 🧵 with photographs taken by me in 9/2023