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Antioch, like Syria in general, is remarkably well-preserved archaeologically, and much information is
extant as to its design, structure and pattern of architectural development. Like Alexandria, the city was
both a port and a target for land-based caravans. The port of Seleucia on the Mediterranean Sea, near the
mouth of the Orontes, handled the sea trade, while the city itself accommodated trade from the desert areas.
Antioch fronted the wide stretches of the Syrian landscape leading eastward to the Euphrates River and
thence into Parthia. To the south lay the trading centers of Damascus, Tyre, Berytus and Judaea, while to
the north were Cilicia and the provinces of Asia Minor.
Antioch was advanced for its time. Sewers with organized pipe systems were accompanied by aqueducts.
Architecturally, the rest of Syria looked to Antioch to establish the styles for their own regions, and
Greek, Oriental and Roman designs all flourished. Originally, Antioch had been erected by the Seleucids to
serve as a great city and numerous temples and palaces were built, most of which were eventually
supplanted by Greek and Roman structures. However, Oriental designs continued to prevail, as the
Eastern Church, influenced by its Greek foundations and the tastes of Constantinople, reigned supreme in
the construction of temples and churches.
¤ ANTIOCH (2) A Roman colony built by Augustus circa 19 B.C. In 25 B.C., Amyntas, the ruler of
Galatia who had been granted his kingdom by Marc Antony, died. The region, troubled by hillmen from
Homanades and Pisidia, was immediately taken by Augustus, who wanted to stabilize the area and make it
more responsive to his broadened Asian policies. To the south, near Pisidia, a community called
Antioch had been founded earlier, probably by colonists from Magnesia. To populate the colony, which
was given the name Caesarea Antiochus, veterans of two legions, the V and VII Gallica, were brought in.
Hardy and militarily capable, these veterans helped pacify the tribes and gave the colony a solid
foundation. Slowly Antioch connected itself by roads to such important cities as Iconium, Pergamum and
Antioch of Syria. See also ASIA; BITHYNIA; CAPPADOCIA.
¤ ANTIOCHUS I (fl. late 1st century B.C.) The ruler of the small kingdom of COMMAGENE, situated on
the Upper Euphrates River; one of the last dynastic kings of the Seleucid line, and hence one of the last
potentates descended from the time of Alexander and his nation-founding generals. Around 63 B.C., the
kingdom of Commagene was officially sanctioned by Pompey, who wanted to establish a buffer zone of
client states along the Euphrates. Antiochus I, not a strong ruler, was placed at its head.
During Marc Antony's Parthian Campaign (36 B.C.), Antiochus was at best indifferent to the Roman
cause and at worst pro-Parthian. When retreating Parthians sought sanctuary in Antiochus' city of
Samosata, Antony's lieutenant, Bassus Ventidius, pursued them there. Antiochus promptly bribed