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Seleukid Kingdom, Demetrius II Nikator, 146 - 138 and 129 - 125 B.C.
Demetrius II ruled for two periods, separated by years of captivity in Parthia. He gained the throne with the help of Egypt, but general Diodotus rebelled, took Antioch and made Antiochus VI Dionysus his puppet king. Demetrius then ruled part of the kingdom from Seleucia. In 38 B.C. he attacked the Parthians but was defeated and captured, ending his first reign. The Parthians released him in 129 B.C. when his brother, Antiochus VII Sidetes, marched against Parthia. They hoped the brothers would fight a civil war but the Parthians soon defeated Sidetes, and Demetrius returned to rule Syria. His second reign portraits show him wearing a Parthian style beard. His second reign ended when he was defeated and killed by yet another usurper set up by Egypt, Alexander II Zabinas.GY87637. Silver tetradrachm, Houghton Tarsus p. 114 group D, A4/P15 (unlisted die combination), Houghton-Lorber II 2156(3), HGC 9 1117a (S), VF, small areas of corrosion, Royal workshop, Tarsos (Tarsus, Mersin, Turkey) mint, weight 15.116g, maximum diameter 28.1mm, die axis 0o, 2nd reign, 129 - 125 B.C.; obverse diademed bust of bearded Demetrios II right, hair combed smooth on the crown of head, diadem ends fall straight, fillet border; reverse Zeus seated left, nude to the waist, himation around hips and legs, Nike holding wreath in Zeus' right hand, long scepter vertical behind in left hand, BAΣIΛEΩΣ / ΔHMHTPIOY in two downward lines on right, ΘEOY / NIKATOPOΣ in two downward lines on left, PHA monogram over PHA monogram outer left; scarce; SOLD
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