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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Magnus Maximus, post: 4664468, member: 73473&quot;]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&#039;s rule. To make matters worse, the Roman Republic actively handicapped the young prince&#039;s ability to use war elephants to put down the revolts.</p><p><br /></p><p>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. <i>Such a happy family the later Seleucids were! <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie1" alt=":)" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" /></i></p><p><br /></p><p>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.</p><p><br /></p><p>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&#039;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.&nbsp; Demetrius I met the usurper in Syria and lost the battle and his life. He was thirty five years old when he died.</p><p>[ATTACH=full]1150458[/ATTACH]</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1150460[/ATTACH]</p><p>Demetrius I Soter AR Tetradrachm</p><p>Diademed head right, within wreath</p><p>BASILEWS DHMHTRIOU, Tyche holding scepter and cornucopia, seated left on throne supported by tritoness, monogram to outer left SC 1634</p><p>Antioch mint</p><p>161-150 BCE</p><p>Diameter 32 mm.</p><p>16.1 grams</p><p>Ex Stephen Glover Collection and [USER=44210]@ValiantKnight[/USER][/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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