Alfred Bellinger Beroea Tarsus Jugate

The numismatic evidence is the primary source for reconstructing the reigns of the late Seleucid kings due to brief and contradictory accounts in ancient literature. During Seleucus VI's reign, Antiochus XI and his twin brother probably resided in Cilicia. After Seleucus VI's death in 94 BC, Antiochus XI and Philip I declared themselves kings, likely basing their operations in Tarsus, as their portraits appeared on jugate coins minted exclusively in Cilicia. The craftsmanship of these coins indicates they were minted in a culturally significant city like Tarsus.

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Alfred Bellinger Beroea Tarsus Jugate

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Jerome Brusas

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The reigns of the late Seleucid kings are poorly attested in ancient literature through brief passages

and summaries, often riddled with conflations and contradictions; [18] the numismatic evidence is
therefore the primary source when reconstructing the reigns of late Seleucid monarchs. [19] During
Seleucus VI's reign, Antiochus XI and his twin probably resided in Cilicia.[20] In the aftermath of
Seleucus VI's death, Antiochus XI and Philip I declared themselves kings in 94 BC; the
historian Alfred Bellinger suggested that their base was a coastal city north of Antioch, [21] while Arthur
Houghton believed it was Beroea, because the city's rulers were Philip I's allies.[22][23]
It is more likely that Tarsus was the main base of operations; [24] both Antiochus XI and Philip I's
portraits appeared on the obverses of jugate coins they struck,[7] and all the jugate coins were minted
in Cilicia. Three series of jugate coins are known; as of 2008, one series has six known surviving
specimens,[24] depicting both kings with beards. [25] The excellent craftsmanship of the portraits
depicted on the coins of the six specimen series indicates the minting facility was located in a city
that was a center of culture, making Tarsus the likely site of the mint and so the probable base of
operations.[24]
The other two coin series have fewer surviving specimens and depict Antiochus XI with a sideburn.
[25]
Those coins were not minted in Tarsus, and the sideburn indicates that those issues were
produced by cities west of the main base, as the king passed them on his way to Tarsus; by the time
Antiochus XI arrived at his headquarters, he was depicted with a full beard. On all jugate coins,
Antiochus XI was portrayed in front of Philip I, his name taking precedence, [24] showing that he was
the senior monarch. According to Josephus, Antiochus XI became king before Philip I, but the
numismatic evidence suggests otherwise, as the earliest coins show both brothers ruling jointly. [26]