Science Fair Project Encyclopedia
Demetrius I of Syria
Demetrius I (d. 150 BC), surnamed Soter, was sent to Rome as a hostage during the reign of his father, Seleucus IV Philopator, but after his father's death in 175 BC he escaped from confinement, and established himself on the Syrian throne (162 BC) after overthrowing and murdering King Antiochus V Eupator.
He acquired his surname of Soter, or Saviour, from the Babylonians, whom he delivered from the tyranny of the Median satrap, Timarchus , and is famous in Jewish history for his contests with the Maccabees.
Hated for his vices, Demetrius fell in battle against the usurper, Alexander Balas, in 150 BC.
This entry was originally from the 1911 Encyclopedia Britannica.
| Preceded by: Antiochus V | Seleucid Ruler | Succeeded by: Alexander I |
10-26-2009 08:16:03
The contents of this article is licensed from www.wikipedia.org under the GNU Free Documentation License. Click here to see the transparent copy and copyright details
The contents of this article is licensed from www.wikipedia.org under the GNU Free Documentation License. Click here to see the transparent copy and copyright details