Quick Facts
Adding us as a Preferred Source tells Google you trust our content, so our articles show up more often in your Google Search, Discover feed, and AI Overviews.
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies.
Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Alexander Balas
king of Syria
Also known as: Alexander Epiphanes
Alexander Balas (died 145 bc) was the king of Syria and Pergamum (Greek Asia Minor) and ruler of the remains of the Seleucid Empire (150β145 bc).
The pretended son of Antiochus IV Epiphanes, he won the Seleucid throne with the help of mercenaries, challenging and slaying Demetrius I Soter, the direct Seleucid heir. With the support of the Roman Senate and the Egyptian Ptolemaic dynasty, he ruled the remains of the Seleucid Empire until he was killed in battle against Demetrius II Nicator, son of Demetrius I Soter.
During his reign, Alexander pacified Palestine by naming Jonathan Maccabeus as Jewish governor but alienated the population by his revelry while feigning interest in politics and Stoic philosophy.
Britannica Quiz
Kings and Emperors (Part III) Quiz
This article was most recently revised and updated by Encyclopaedia Britannica.
Discover the fascinating events that shaped the world, straight from our editors.
By clicking βSign Upβ, you consent to the Britannica
Privacy Policy
and
Terms of Use.