Demetrius II (of Syria), called Nicator (died about 125 bc), king of Syria
(145-139 bc, 127-125 bc), son of Demetrius I. With the aid of Ptolemy VI,
king of Egypt, he deposed and killed the usurper Alexander Balas (reigned
150-145 bc) and became king of Syria in 145 bc. Demetrius married his
predecessor's widow, Cleopatra Thea (died about 120 bc), who was the
daughter of Ptolemy VI. In 140 bc, during a war with Parthia, Demetrius
was taken prisoner. In captivity he married Rodogune, daughter of the
Parthian king Mithradates I (reigned 171-138 bc). Demetrius II returned to
Syria in 129 bc. His Brother, Antiochus VII (born 158? bc), who had
usurped the throne in 139 bc and married Cleopatra Thea, was killed in
Battle in 127 bc. Demetrius II then regained the crown and reigned until
his assassination two years later. His son, Seleucus V, succeeded him but
enjoyed a short reign; he was put to Death by his mother, Cleopatra Thea,
in the same year.
