HELLENISTIC PERIOD, CIRCA 2ND CENTURY B.C.

Demetrios I Soter ("Saviour") ruled the Seleucid Empire from 162-150 B.C. After the treaty of Apamea with Rome in 188 B.C. the Seleucid Empire was weakened by massive reparations, losing huge swathes of land to neighbouring rulers and agreeing that members of the royal household would be held hostage in Rome. Demetrios was one such hostage - growing up in Rome from a very young age. It was not until he was 22, and with the help of the famous Greek historian Polybius, that he managed to escape his captors and make his way back to Antioch to take the throne. He mercilessly put to death Antiochus V, who was only a child at the time and his regent Lysias. His reign was by no means easy, with constant battles to put down various uprisings that were encouraged and supported by Rome, always looking for a way to keep the Seleucid kingdom divided and therefore weak. In the end Demetrios was killed by Alexander I, who had won the support of the Roman senate, and claimed to be the rightful heir to the throne with the support of Attalus II of Pergamum.

For Seleucid coin portraits cf R.R.R. Smith, Hellenistic Royal Portraits, Oxford, 1998, pl. 76. The coin of Demetrios shows the similar aquiline nose, full lips, straight chin, slightly stepped back forehead and the lengthy hair at the nape of the neck. The tip of a quiver and bow can be seen behind him.