Alexander Balas

Alexander Balas

Alexander Balas (Greek Polytonic|Ἀλέξανδρoς Bάλας), ruler of the Greek Seleucid kingdom 150-146 BC, was a native of Smyrna of humble origin, but gave himself out to be the son of Antiochus IV Epiphanes and heir to the Seleucid throne. Along with his sister Laodice, the youngster Alexander was "discovered" by Heracleides, a former minister of Antiochus IV and brother of Timarchus, an usurper in Media who had been executed by the reigning king Demetrius I Soter.cite encyclopedia | last = Smith | first = Philip Peter | authorlink = | title = Alexander Balas | editor = William Smith | encyclopedia = Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology | volume = 1 | pages = 114-115 | publisher = Little, Brown and Company | location = Boston | year = 1867 | url = http://www.ancientlibrary.com/smith-bio/0123.html ]

Alexander's claims were recognized by the Roman Senate, Ptolemy Philometor of Egypt and others. He married Cleopatra Thea, a daughter of the Ptolemaic dynasty. At first unsuccessful, Alexander finally defeated Demetrius Soter in 150 BC. Being now master of the empire, he is said to have abandoned himself to a life of debauchery. Whatever the truth behind this, the young king was forced to depend heavily on his Ptolemaic support and even struck portraits with the characteristic features of king Ptolemy I.

Demetrius Soter's son Demetrius II profited by the opportunity to regain the throne. Ptolemy Philometor, who was Alexander's father-in-law, went over to his side, and Alexander was defeated in the battle of Antioch (145 BC) in Syria, sometimes known as the battle of the Oenoparus.

He fled for refuge to a Nabataean prince, who murdered him and sent his head to Ptolemy Philometor, who had been mortally wounded in the engagement.

See 1 Maccabees 10 ff.; Justin xxxv. 1 and 2; Josephus, "Antiq." xiii. 2; Appian, "Sir." 67; Polybius xxxiii. 14.

References

External links

* [http://virtualreligion.net/iho/a_balas.html Alexander Balas] , article in historical sourcebook by Mahlon H. Smith


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую

Look at other dictionaries:

  • ALEXANDER BALAS° — ALEXANDER BALAS°, king of Syria, 150–146 B.C.E. According to Diodorus and Strabo, Balas was his original name before he assumed the cognomen Alexander. Many of his contemporaries state that Alexander Balas was a native of Smyrna, of lowly… …   Encyclopedia of Judaism

  • Alexander Balas — Silbermünze von Alexander I. Balas Alexander I. Balas war Regent des Seleukidenreichs von 150 v. Chr. bis 145 v. Chr.. In Smyrna geboren und von einfacher Herkunft, gab er sich als illegitimer Sohn von Antiochos IV. und Erbe des Thrones aus. Sein …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Alexander Balas — ▪ king of Syria also called  Alexander Epiphanes  died 145 BC       king of Syria and Pergamum (Greek Asia Minor) and ruler of the remains of the Seleucid Empire (150–145 BC).       The pretended son of Antiochus IV Epiphanes, he won the Seleucid …   Universalium

  • Alexander (Name of Seven Men) —     Alexander, name of seven men     † Catholic Encyclopedia ► Alexander, name of seven men     (1) ALEXANDER THE GREAT     King of Macedon, 336 323 B. c. He is mentioned in 1 Mach., i, 1 10; vi, 2. He is also supposed to be spoken of in Dan., ii …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • Alexander I. Balas — Silbermünze von Alexander I. Balas Alexander I. Balas (* vor 153 v. Chr.; † 145 v. Chr.) war als Usurpator ein König des Seleukidenreichs. Balas stammte aus Smyrna und war von einfacher Herkunft. Von König Attalos II. von Pergamon und der Familie …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Alexander — This article is about the male first name. For other uses, see Alexander (disambiguation). Alexander Paris, depicted in this c. 1636 painting by Peter Paul Rubens making his famous judgment, was given the surname Alexander as a child when he rou …   Wikipedia

  • Alexander I. — Alexander hießen folgende Herrscher: Inhaltsverzeichnis 1 Herrscher namens Alexander 1.1 Alexander I. 1.2 Alexander II. 1.3 Alexander III. 1.4 Alexander IV …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Alexander [1] — Alexander (gr. Alexandros, der Männer Vertheidigende). I. Mythische Personen: 1) Einer von den Söhnen des Eurystheus; fiel mit seinem Vater gegen die Athener. Trojaner, so v.w. Paris. II. Fürsten: A) im Alterthum: Aa) Römische Kaiser u.… …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • Alexander I. [2] — Alexander I., von Syrien, genannt Balas, von niedriger Herkunft, aber verwegen u. schlau, gab sich für einen Sohn des Antiochus Epiphanes aus u. gewann mit römischer Hilfe Syrien gegen Demetrius Soter, des Antiochus Neffen (150 v. Chr.). Aber… …   Herders Conversations-Lexikon

  • Balas — Iolanda Balaş (* 12. Dezember 1936 in Timişoara) ist eine ehemalige rumänische Hochspringerin. Sie ist zweifache Olympiasiegerin und gilt als eine der besten Hochspringerinnen aller Zeiten. Balaş dominierte für ein Jahrzehnt die internationalen… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”