v49_0285 - SIRIA - COELESIRIA - CHALCIS Unité (dénomination B), (MB, Æ 21)

SYRIA - COELE-SYRIA - CHALKIS UNDER MOUNT LIBANUS

(1st century BC.)

The city would have been founded by a Seleucid king in memory of Chacis in Euboea. But its foundation remains a mystery. The city could have been founded by Menaios, an Ituraean. Ptolemy (84-40 BC) succeeded Menaios and seized Baalbeck (Heliopolis) and became its high priest. He created a principality for himself and was a turbulent neighbour. He opposed the last Seleucid rulers of Damascus (Antichus XII). After the conquest of Syria, Pompey named him Tetrarch. His son Lysanias succeeded him in 40 BC, but was executed four years later for supporting Matthias Antigone. The territory was then offered to Cleopatra VII of Egypt who offered its management to Zenodoros. After Actium, the latter was maintained first by Octavian before being deposed in favor of Herod the Great in 23 BC. Zenodorus died three years later while preparing to regain power.