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Demetrius II Aetolicus

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For the similarly named Seleucid ruler see Demetrius II Nicator. For the Macedonian prince, see Demetrius the Fair.
Demetrius
King of Macedonia
Reign239 to 229 BC
PredecessorAntigonus II Gonatas
SuccessorAntigonus III Doson
Born275 BC
Died229 BC
SpouseStratonice of Macedon
Nicaea of Corinth
Phthia of Macedon
Chryseis
IssueApama III
Philip V of Macedon
DynastyAntigonid dynasty
FatherAntigonus II Gonatas
MotherPhila (daughter of Seleucus)

Demetrius II Aetolicus (Greek: Δημήτριος ὁ Αἰτωλικός) son of Antigonus II Gonatas and Phila, reigned as king of Macedonia from the winter of 239 to 229 BC.[1]: 317  He belonged to the Antigonid dynasty and was born in 275 BC.[1]: 317 

He had already during his father's lifetime distinguished himself by defeating Alexander II of Epirus at Derdia and so saving Macedonia (c. 260 BC).[2] There is a possibility[1]: 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 dated at 256 or 257 BC.

On his accession Demetrius had to face a coalition of enemies which included the two great leagues. Usually rivals, the Aetolian League and Achaean League, now became allies against the Macedonian power. He succeeded in dealing this coalition severe blows, wresting Boeotia from their alliance. The revolution in Epirus, which substituted a republican league for the monarchy, gravely weakened his position.[2]

During his reign his kingdom extended[1]: 321  to Euboea, Magnesia, Thessaly and its environs, excluding Dolopia and possibly Peparethos and Achaea Phthiotis.

In 236 BC, he invaded Boetia, making the Boetians submit[1]: 326  immediately.

In 234 BC due to the Federal Republic[3] replacing the monarchy in Epirus led to the events of 231 BC, Demetrius hired[4] Agron for military aid against advancing Aetolians. His kingdom was not[1]: 323  threatened by the Illyrian Ardiaei ruled by Agron despite them having gathered the greatest force in their history (around 231 BC), but Epirus needed some sort of force to deter them.

Demetrius in the end of his reign defended his domain from the tribal peoples of the north. A battle with the Dardanians[1]: 335  turned out disastrously, and he died shortly afterwards, leaving Philip, his son by Chryseis, still a child.[2]

Marriage and family

Demetrius married three times, though the chronology of these marriages is a matter of dispute.[2]


Information[1]: 317 regarding the life of Demetrius are drawn mainly from inscription as only Plutarch writes of him, in Life of Aratus, and Polybius[7] makes scarce mentions of him.

Notes

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Nicholas Geoffrey Lemprière Hammond, Frank William Walbank (1988). A History of Macedonia: 336-167 B.C. ISBN 0198148151.
  2. ^ a b c d  One or more of the preceding sentences incorporates text from a publication now in the public domainChisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Demetrius s.v. Demetrius II". Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 7 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. pp. 982–983.
  3. ^ Wilkes, J. J. (1992). The Illyrians. p. 157. ISBN 0-631-19807-5.
  4. ^ Walbank, Frank William (1984). The Cambridge Ancient History, Tome 7, Part 1. p. 452. ISBN 052123445X.
  5. ^ http://www.livius.org/ap-ark/apame/apame_iii.html
  6. ^ a b c d Carney, Elizabeth (2000). Women and Monarchy in Macedonia. University of Oklahoma Press. ISBN 0-8061-3212-4.
  7. ^ cf.2.44.1-2
Regnal titles
Preceded by King of Macedon
239–229 BC
Succeeded by