Editing Demetrius I of Bactria (section)

==Encounter with Antiochus III==
[[File:Agathokles commemorative coin for Demetrius.jpg|thumb|330x330px|Commemorative coin of Agathocles of Bactria, for Demetrius I. Obverse with the Greek legend: ΔΗΜΗΤΡΙΟΥ ΑΝΙΚΗΤΟΥ, ''Dēmētriou Anikētou'', "Of Demetrius the Unconquered". The reverse showing standing Heracles, and the Greek inscription: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΥΟΝΤΟΣ ΔΙΚΑΙΟΥ ΑΓΑΘΟΚΛΕΟΥΣ, ''Basileuontos Dikaiou Agathokleous'', "Of Agathocles the Just, ruling as King". [[British Museum]].]]
The father of Demetrius, [[Euthydemus I]], was attacked by the Seleucid ruler [[Antiochus III]] around 210&nbsp;BC. Although he commanded 10,000 horsemen, Euthydemus initially lost a [[Battle of the Arius|battle on the Arius]]<ref>[http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Plb.+10.49 Polybius 10.49, Battle of the Arius]</ref> and had to retreat. He then successfully resisted a three-year siege in the fortified city of [[Balkh|Bactra]], before Antiochus finally decided to recognize the new ruler.

The final negotiations were made between Antiochus III and Demetrius. Antiochus III was reportedly highly impressed by the demeanour of the young prince, and offered him one of his daughters in marriage, around 206 BC:

{{quote|"And after several journeys of Teleas to and fro between the two, Euthydemus at last sent his son Demetrius to confirm the terms of the treaty. Antiochus received the young prince; and judging from his appearance, conversation, and the dignity of his manners that he was worthy of royal power, he first promised to give him one of his own daughters, and secondly conceded the royal title to his father." Polybius 11.34<ref>[http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Plb.+11.34 Polybius 11.34 Siege of Bactra]</ref>}}

The term used for "young prince" is ''neaniskos'' (νεανίσκος), suggesting an age around 16, which in turn gives a birth date for Demetrius around 222 BC.

===Kuliab inscription===
In an inscription found in the [[Kulab, Tajikistan|Kuliab]] area of [[Tajikistan]], in western Greco-Bactria, and dated to 200-195 BC,<ref name="SW">Shane Wallace [https://www.academia.edu/25638818 Greek Culture in Afghanistan and India: Old Evidence and New Discoveries] p.206</ref> a Greek by the name of Heliodotus, dedicating a fire altar to [[Hestia]], mentions Euthydemus and Demetrius:<ref>[[Osmund Bopearachchi]], [https://www.academia.edu/22821570 Some Observations on the Chronology of the Early Kushans], p.48</ref><ref name="SW"/>
{{Verse translation|source=|
τόνδε σοι βωμὸν θυώδη, πρέσβα κυδίστη θεῶν
Ἑστία, Διὸς κ(α)τ᾽ ἄλσος καλλίδενδρον ἔκτισεν
καὶ κλυταῖς ἤσκησε λοιβαῖς ἐμπύροις Ἡλιόδοτος
ὄφρα τὸμ πάντων μέγιστον Εὐθύδημον βασιλέων
τοῦ τε παῖδα καλλίνικον ἐκπρεπῆ Δημήτριον
πρευμενὴς σώιζηις ἐκηδεῖ(ς) σὺν τύχαι θεόφρον[ι]
|"Heliodotos dedicated this fragrant altar for [[Hestia]], 
venerable goddess, illustrious amongst all, in the grove of [[Zeus]], with beautiful trees; 
he made libations and sacrifices, 
so that the greatest of all kings Euthydemos, 
as well as his son, the glorious, victorious and remarkable Demetrios, 
be preserved from all pains, with the help of [[Tyche]] with divine thoughts."<ref>Shane Wallace [https://www.academia.edu/25638818 Greek Culture in Afghanistan and India: Old Evidence and New Discoveries] p.211</ref><ref>[http://www.attalus.org/docs/seg/s54_1569.html Supplementum Epigraphicum Graecum: 54.1569]</ref>|Kuliab inscription, 200–195 BCE}}