Demetrius II was one of the sons of Demetrius I Soter, brother of Antiochus VII Sidetes, and ruled the Seleucid Empire for two periods, separated by a number of years of captivity in Parthia.
In 147 BC, he overthrew Alexander I Balas and regained his fathers throne. However, Demetrius was not a popular king. The people of Syria had little respect for the young boy, who had come to power with the help of Egypt and Cretan mercenaries led by the ruthless Lasthenes.
In 139 BC, Demetrius was taken prisoner by MIthradates I of Parthia, and was held i captivity for 10 years. When he was released, the Seleucid Empire was only a shadow of it's former glory.
He would rule the remains of an empire for 3 years, before being defeated by yet another usurper - Alexander II Zabinas.
In 147 BC, he overthrew Alexander I Balas and regained his fathers throne. However, Demetrius was not a popular king. The people of Syria had little respect for the young boy, who had come to power with the help of Egypt and Cretan mercenaries led by the ruthless Lasthenes.
In 139 BC, Demetrius was taken prisoner by MIthradates I of Parthia, and was held i captivity for 10 years. When he was released, the Seleucid Empire was only a shadow of it's former glory.
He would rule the remains of an empire for 3 years, before being defeated by yet another usurper - Alexander II Zabinas.
Epithet: Nicator ("the Victor")
(1)
Demetrius II
Obverse: Laureated and bearded head of Zeus right
Reverse: Nike holding wreath and palm branch walking left; BAΣIΛEOΣ / ΔHMHTΡIOΥ / ΘEOΥ NIKATOΡOΣ, ? monogram
Diameter:
17 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 5.6 g
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 5.6 g
No notes for this coin
SNG Spaer 2164 - 77; Hoover 1133; Houghton 291
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Demetrius II
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An
AR
Tetradrachm
struck c. 143-142 BC
in
Tyre
Obverse: diademed and draped bust right
Reverse: Eagle standing left on prow left, with palm branch over shoulder; to left, club surmounted by (TYP) monogram; to right, OP (date) above (ΓHP) monogram; ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ__ΔΗΜΗΤΡΙΟΥ
Diameter:
25 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 13.3 g
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 13.3 g
http://numismatics.org/sco/id/sc.1.1959.4c
SC 1959.4c
(3)
Demetrius II
An
AR
Tetradrachm
struck 142/1 BC
in
Sidon
Obverse: Diademed and draped bust right
Reverse: BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΔHMHTPIOY, eagle standing left, palm branch under far wing; AOP (date) in left field above monogram, mintmark ΣIΔΩ above aphlaston in right field, control mark between legs
Diameter:
25 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 13.44 g
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 13.44 g
No notes for this coin
SC 1954.5