Editing Alexander Balas (section)

===War with Demetrius I (152–150 BC)===
[[Image:Coin of Alexander I Balas, Antioch mint (2).jpg|thumb|right|Silver coin of Alexander I "Balas". The Greek inscription reads ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΛΕΧΑΝΔΡΟΥ (king Alexander). The date ΓΞΡ is year 164 of the [[Seleucid era]], corresponding to 149&ndash;148 BC.]]
After recruiting mercenaries, Alexander and Heracleides departed to [[Ephesus]]. From there, they invaded Phoenicia by sea, seizing [[Ptolemais Akko]].<ref>Polybius 33.18.14; Josephus ''AJ'' 13.35</ref> Numismatic evidence shows that Alexander had also gained control of [[Seleucia Pieria]], [[Byblos]], [[Beirut]], [[Tyre, Lebanon|Tyre]] by 151 BC.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Chrubasik |first1=Boris |title=Kings and Usurpers in the Seleukid Empire: The Men who would be King |date=2016 |publisher=Oxford University Press |location=Oxford |isbn=9780198786924|pages=131}}</ref> On this coinage, Alexander heavily advertised his (claimed) connection to Antiochus IV, depicting Zeus Nicephorus on his coinage as Antiochus had done. He also assumed the title of ''Theopator'' ('Divinely Fathered'), which recalled Antiochus' epithet ''Theos Epiphanes'' ('God Manifest'). The coinage also presented Alexander Balas in the guise of [[Alexander the Great]], with pronounced facial features and long flowing hair. This was intended to emphasise his military prowess to his soldiers.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Bohm |first1=Claudia |title=Imitatio Alexandri im Hellenismus; Untersuchungen zum politischen Nachwirken Alexanders des Grossen in hoch- und späthellenistischen Monarchien |date=1989 |location=Munich |pages=105–116}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Chrubasik |first1=Boris |title=Kings and Usurpers in the Seleukid Empire: The Men who would be King |date=2016 |publisher=Oxford University Press |location=Oxford |isbn=9780198786924|pages=163–5}}</ref>

Alexander and Demetrius I competed with another to win over [[Jonathan Apphus]], the leader of the ascendant faction in Judaea. Jonathan was won over to Alexander's side by the grant of a high position in the Seleucid court and the [[Kohen gadol|high priesthood]] in [[Jerusalem]].<ref>Josephus ''AJ'' 13.45; I Maccabees. 10.3-6, 10.20</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Chrubasik |first1=Boris |title=Kings and Usurpers in the Seleukid Empire: The Men who would be King |date=2016 |publisher=Oxford University Press |location=Oxford |isbn=9780198786924|pages=165–166}}</ref> Reinforced by Jonathan's hardened soldiers, Alexander fought a decisive battle with Demetrius in July 150 BC, in which Demetrius was killed. By autumn, Alexander's kingship was recognised throughout the Seleucid realm.<ref>Josephus ''Jewish Antiquities'' 13.59–61; I Maccabees 10.48–50; Justin ''Epitome of Pompeius Trogus'' 35.1.9–11. ''Astronomical Diaries'' III 149 A rev. 1–13 and B obv. 1</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Chrubasik |first1=Boris |title=Kings and Usurpers in the Seleukid Empire: The Men who would be King |date=2016 |publisher=Oxford University Press |location=Oxford |isbn=9780198786924|pages=130–1}}</ref>