Demetrius I Soter (Ancient Greek: Δημήτριος Α` ὁ Σωτήρ, Dēmḗtrios ho Sōtḗr, "Demetrius the Saviour"; 185 – June 150 BC) reigned as king of the Hellenistic Seleucid Empire from November 162 to June 150 BC. Demetrius grew up in Rome as a hostage, but returned to Greek Syria and overthrew his young cousin Antiochus V Eupator and regent Lysias. Demetrius took control during a turbulent time of the Empire, and spent much of his time fighting off revolts and challenges to his power from threats such as Timarchus and Alexander Balas.
Contents
Biography
Early confinement and escape
Demetrius was born around 185 BC. He was sent to Rome as a hostage at a young age during the reign of his father Seleucus IV Philopator and his mother Laodice IV. Rome taking prominent Seleucid family members hostage was one of the terms of the Treaty of Apamea that had ended the Roman-Seleucid War. His father was likely murdered by his finance minister Heliodorus in 175 BC; his uncle Antiochus IV Epiphanes overthrew Heliodorus and took the throne himself. While the throne should have gone to Demetrius, he was both too young and also still held as a hostage in Rome. Antiochus IV died around October–November 164 BC while on campaign in Babylonia and Persia. His 9-year-old son Antiochus V Eupator became king, although real power rested with Lysias, the regent Antiochus IV had left in Antioch. Demetrius, 22 years old then, requested the Roman Senate to restore the Seleucid throne to him, but was rejected, since the Romans wanted a weak Seleucid Empire and therefore preferred a boy king to a man. Two years later, Antiochus V was greatly weakened; Rome had sent an emissary to sink his ships and hamstring his elephants according to the terms of the Treaty of Apamea. Demetrius again petitioned the Senate on the grounds that his captivity would do little to inspire Antiochus V to heed Rome, but the appeal was again unsuccessful, as Rome preferred the perceived weak boy king over him. With the help of the Greek historian Polybius, Demetrius escaped from confinement and made his way to the Seleucid capital Antioch. There he successfully gained the support of the local aristocracy and took the Seleucid throne from his cousin in around November 162 BC. He immediately executed Antiochus V and Lysias.