Difference between revisions of "Category:Demetrius I Soter (subject)"

Demetrius I Soter was King of Syria, from 187 BCE to 150 BCE.

Overview

Demetrius was the son of Seleucus IV Philopator. In 178 BCE, when he was twelve years old, he was sent by his father to Rome as a hostage in exchange for his uncle Antiochus IV Epiphanes. When Seleucus IV was assassinated in 175 BCE, Antiochus IV avenged his brother's death and claimed the throne instead of his nephew, who was left in Rome.

In 164 BCE, Antiochus IV died and was succeeded by his son Antiochus V Eupator. As the new king was still a child, the general Lysia acted as regent.

Two years later in 162 BCE, a confrontation opposed Lysia to the Romans, who accused him to violate the terms of the Peace of Apamea. The Roman ambassador Gnaeus Octavius was kileld by the mob in Antioch. Members of the Roman Senate helped Demetrius escape from Rome and lead a rebellion against his cousin and Lysia. Demetrius captured and executed both of them and was recognized as the new king.

Demetrius proved to be a very effective ruler. His military success and territorial ambitions soon worried the Romans, who in 153 BCE supported the claim of Alexander Balas, presumed son of Antiochus IV. Demetrius died in 150 BCE, while fighting against the rival, who became the new king.

Demetrius I and the Jews

As King of Syria, Demetrius ruled over Judea. He led military operation against the Maccabean rebels and in 161 BCE appointed Alcimus as the new High Priest, to succed [[Menelaus who had been executed by Antiochus V Eupator. In 160 BCE the Selecuid army, led by general Nicanor was defeated by Judas Maccabeus, who, however, was killed in action soon afterward in a new battle with general Bacchides. Jonathan Maccabeus succeeded his brother as leader of the rebellion.

In 159 Alcimus suddenly died.

When in 152 the revolt of Alexander Balas began, Jonathan supported him and the Romans, and as a reward was appointed the new High Priest.

Demetrius I in Second Temple sources

Josephus, Jewish Antiquities

Ant XII 389-402,415,420;

Ant XII 23,35-48,58-61.

1 Maccabees

1 Macc 7:1-8; 8:29-32; 9:1-18;10:1-54.

See also

• Justin, Epitome 39.1-2.
• Appian, History of Rome: Syrian Wars 46-47.
• Livy, History: Periochae 46.

Demetrius I in Scholarship

Demetrius I in Fiction

Related categories

• Seleucid Kings (subject)

External links

• Wikipedia
• Into His Own / Livius