Editing Demetrius I Soter (section)

===Reign as King===
[[File:Drachme de Démétrius Ier du royaume Séleucide.jpg|thumb|330x330px|Silver drachm of Demetrius I Soter. Reverse shows the [[cornucopia]], with Greek legend: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΔΗΜΗΤΡΙΟΥ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ, ''Basileōs Dēmētriou Sōtēros'', "of savior king Demetrius."]]
The Romans were not enthusiastic about Demetrius's new rule.  They offered their indirect support and encouragement to any who would seek to divide the Seleucid Empire, and hence weaken it.  Notably, this included the satrap [[Timarchus]]; the Jewish Maccabees; [[Ptolemaeus of Commagene]]; and [[Artaxias I]] of Armenia.

In Judea, Demetrius instituted measure to suppress the [[Maccabean Revolt]] which were recorded in the [[books of the Maccabees]].  Demetrius is recorded as sending a new High Priest to Judea, [[Alcimus]], shortly after his reign started.  Alcimus was able to successfully bring back at least some Jews to following the government.  Demetrius also dispatched an expedition under [[Bacchides (general)|Bacchides]] which broke Maccabee influence over the Judean cities.  Bacchides and his forces defeated and killed the rebel leader [[Judas Maccabaeus]] at the [[Battle of Elasa]] in 160 BC, restoring Seleucid control to the province for a number of years. 

Demetrius acquired his surname of ''Soter'', Savior, from the [[Babylonia]]ns, where he defeated the rebellious Median [[satrap]] [[Timarchus]].<ref name="EB1911"/> Timarchus, who had distinguished himself by defending [[Medes|Media]] against the emergent [[Parthia]]ns, seems to have treated Demetrius' accession as an excuse to declare himself an independent king and extend his realm into Babylonia. His forces were, however, not enough to stand against the new Seleucid king: Demetrius defeated and killed Timarchus in 160 BC, and dethroned [[Ariarathes V of Cappadocia|Ariarathes]], king of [[Cappadocia]]. The Seleucid empire was temporarily united again. 

Demetrius may have married his sister [[Laodice V]], by whom he had three sons: [[Demetrius II Nicator]], [[Antiochus VII Sidetes]], and Antigonus.