The fourth son of Antiochus
VIII was supported by Ptolemy VII in challenging his brother Philip I
& cousin Antiochus X for
control of Syria (92
BCE). Having occupied Damascus, Demetrius claimed all
southern Syria including Palestine. After Antiochus X died, he &
Philip divided Syria between them. When Greek cities of the Decapolis
appealed for aid in warding off the expansionist policies of the Hasmonean
dynasty, Demetrius sent an army that dealt the Judean ruler, Alexander
Jannai, a devastating defeat at Shechem
(89
BCE). Emboldened by this triumph, he turned his army to challenge his
brother Philip for sole control of the Seleucid empire. But Philip,
aided by the Parthians defeated, captured & exiled him (87
BCE). He
died a few years later, a royal hostage in Parthia.
References:
Josephus,
Antiquities
13.370-386.
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