With the death of Antiochus IV Ephiphanes in 164 BCE, the kingship of the Seleucid Empire fell to a nine year old boy and his guardian. Not surprising, numerous revolts immediately occurred in Palestine and Mesopotamia against the child King's rule. To make matters worse, the Roman Republic actively handicapped the young prince's ability to use war elephants to put down the revolts. While the Seleucid Empire looked as if it was falling apart; the 25 year old son of Seleucus IV contrived a plot that involved several Roman senators and the historian Polybius, to escape his confinement in Italy and claim his birthright. Through hook and crook, the young prince managed to make his way back to Syria, where he was greeted with open arms by the populace. The prince, Demetrius, swiftly took Antioch without a fight and had his ten year old nephew killed. Such a happy family the later Seleucids were! In 161/160 BCE Demetrius turned his attention to Mesopotamia which was in revolt, and easily won a decisive battle against a usurper named Timarchus. Demetrius then pivoted his forces to Palestine, where he won a large battle against Jewish insurgents. For a time it seemed as if the Seleucid Empire was under a firm ruler, who was adequately guiding the ship of state. However all good things must come to an end, even if prematurely. Judging by his military successes alone, Demetrius I could have been a very capable Seleucid king in another era. Though unfortunately for Demetrius, the Seleucid empire wasn't the biggest kid on the block anymore, and as a consequence the numerous enemies of the kingdom conspired to put an alleged son of Antiochus IV on the throne. Demetrius I met the usurper in Syria and lost the battle and his life. He was thirty five years old when he died. Demetrius I Soter AR Tetradrachm Diademed head right, within wreath BASILEWS DHMHTRIOU, Tyche holding scepter and cornucopia, seated left on throne supported by tritoness, monogram to outer left SC 1634 Antioch mint 161-150 BCE Diameter 32 mm. 16.1 grams Ex Stephen Glover Collection and @ValiantKnight
Very nice coin. For a guy who ruled 10/11 years his coinage is plentiful, but there aren’t a lot of details about is rule.
Nice write-up, @Magnus Maximus ! Great coin. Kids these days... sibling spats all the time! Very cool story. And, agreed. Tis a shame there is not much history on a 10 year Reign!
Seleukid Empire, Demetrios I Soter. Serrate Æ20 (8.26g). Antioch, struck 162-150 BC. Obv: Bust of Artemis right, wearing stephane, with bow and quiver over shoulder. Rev: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΔΗΜΗΤΡΙΟΥ; Bow and quiver. Ref: SC 1645; HGC 9, 826. Photo by Old Roman Coins.
I have only owned one.. Silver tetradrachm Obv:– Diademed head of Demetrius I right inside a fillet border Rev:– BASILEWS DEMHTROS SOTEPOS / BXR, Tyche seated left on throne ornamented with tritoness, holding short scepter and cornucopia; in outer left field, controls; in exergue Minted in Antioch on the Orontes, S.E. 162 (151/0 B.C.) Reference:– Seleucid Coins 1641.8h; SMA 131. Obverse struck a little off center 16.53g, 28mm, 0o .
Very nice coin and write up! There is more to find about the life of Demetrios I then you think. Most of it are described in the First Book of Maccabees, but let's not forget Polybios, Diodoros and Josephos. Demetrios had survived the dangerous first years of his reign, defeating Timarchos his rebellion, and successfully bringing an end to the rebellion in Judaea. But he was still faced, like his father, with hostility from Asia Minor. In Egypt, Ptolemy VI was regaining control of his kingdom and had given refuge to the surviving Oniad, Onias IV, who developed a rival Jewish temple. Demetrios I Soter (162-150 B.C.) AE Denomination A. uncertain mint "83", possibly in Cilicia or somewhere in northern Syria. Struck ca. 155-150 B.C. Obverse: Head of a lion with open jaws to left. Reverse: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΔΗΜΗΤΡΙΟΥ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ Head of a boar to right; behind, monogram. Reference: CSE 2, 415. HGC 9, 823. SC 1660.a. 14.79g; 25mm
This is one of the first Greek coin portraits that I managed to acquire and it still is one of my favorites Demetrios I Ar Tetradrachm Antioch 158 B.C. Rv Tyche seated left SC 1641(3)d HGC 798. 16.41 grms 28 mm
