Demetrius I Soter

Demetrius I Soter
Silver tetradrachm of Demetrios I Soter, minted in Soloi, featuring a portrait of Demetrios on the obverse. SC 1611.3
Basileus of the Seleucid Empire
ReignNovember 162 – June 150 BC
PredecessorAntiochus V Eupator
SuccessorAlexander Balas
Born185 BC
DiedJune 150 BC (aged 34 or 35)
SpouseLaodice V
IssueDemetrius II Nicator
Antiochus VII Sidetes
Antigonus
DynastySeleucid
FatherSeleucus IV Philopator
MotherLaodice IV

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.