Seleucid royal politics and infighting is complex and can be so confusing that anyone casting a cursory glance should be forgiven if they throw their hands up in consternation! Long story short, Antiochus VIII Epihanes, nicknamed Gryphos or “hook nose” ruled from 125 to 96 BC, and oversaw a period of intense instability. He gained power after both his father and brother were killed, and he murdered his co-ruling mother. He also fought a civil war against his half-brother, Antiochus IX. The wives of both brothers, Tryphaena and Cleopatra IV respectively, who were both Egyptian princesses and sisters were murdered. Cleopatra by Tryphaena and Tryphaena in revenge by Antiochus IX. Later he would be killed by his war minister/general Heracleon in either 97/6 or 96/5 BC. While Heracleon’s motives are unclear, he did not ultimately gain power. At first Antiochus VIII’s brother (Antiochus IX) and later his son (Seleucus VI) would take power.