| Demetrius II Δημήτριος | |
|---|---|
Bronzedrachma likely struck during the reign of Demetrius.[a]Obv.: Macedonian shieldrev.: Macedonian helmet withΒΑΣ[ΙΛΕΩΣ] imprinted along bottom. | |
| King of Macedonia | |
| Reign | 239–229 BC |
| Predecessor | Antigonus II Gonatas |
| Successor | Antigonus III Doson |
| Born | c. 275/4 BC |
| Died | 229 BC (agedc. 45) |
| Spouse | |
| Issue | Apama III Philip V |
| Dynasty | Antigonid dynasty |
| Father | Antigonus II Gonatas |
| Mother | Phila |
Demetrius II (Greek: Δημήτριος,romanized:Demetrios;c. 275 - 229 BC), also known asDemetrius Aetolicus, was king of theAncient Greek kingdom ofMacedonia from 239 until his death in 229 BC.[2]
Demetrius was born in either 275 or 274 BC and was the only child of KingAntigonus II Gonatas byPhila, the daughter ofSeleucus I.[3] He had an elder half-brother named Halcyoneus, but he died in an unknown battle sometime before the death of Antigonus in 239 BC.[4] He had already distinguished himself during his father's lifetime by defeatingAlexander II of Epirus at Derdia and so saving Macedonia(c. 260 BC).[5] There is a possibility[6]: 317 that his father had already elevated him to position of power equal to his own before his death. If this had occurred it would be in 256 or 257 BC.
On his accession, Demetrius faced a coalition of enemies which included the two great leagues. Usually rivals, theAetolian andAchaean Leagues now became allies against the Macedonian power. He succeeded in dealing this coalition severe blows, wrestingBoeotia from their alliance. The revolution inEpirus, which substituted a republican league for the monarchy, gravely weakened his position.[5]
During his reign, his kingdom extended[6]: 321 intoEuboea,Magnesia,Thessaly and its environs, excludingDolopia and possiblyPeparethos andAchaea Phthiotis.
In 236 BC, he invadedBoeotia, making the Boeotians submit[6]: 326 immediately.
In 234 BC, due to a federal republic[7] replacing the monarchy in Epirus, which led to the events of 231 BC, Demetrius hired[8]Agron for military aid against the advancingAetolians. His kingdom was not[6]: 323 threatened by the IllyrianArdiaei, ruled by Agron, despite them having gathered the greatest force in their history (c. 231 BC), but Epirus needed some sort of force to deter them.
At some point in 230–229 BC in an unknown location in north-west Macedonia, theDardani defeated Demetrius who died shortly the next spring at the age ofc. 45.[9] His nine year old successor, the future Philip V, was deemed too young to rule by the Macedonian nobility and so Demetrius' half-cousin,Antigonus III Doson, was made regent. The exact location of Demetrius' tomb remains unknown, but was likely inBeroea orAegae.
Demetrius married four times, though the chronology of these marriages is a matter of dispute.[5]
Information regarding the life of Demetrius is drawn mainly from inscriptions, as onlyPlutarch writes of him, inLife of Aratus, andPolybius[13] makes scarce mention of him.[6]
Demetrius II Born:c. 275/4 BC Died: 229 BC | ||
| Royal titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | King of Macedon 239–229 BC | Succeeded by |