Alexander Balas (
Greek ''''''), 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, a usurper in
Media who had been executed by the reigning king
Demetrius I Soter.
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.
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