Description: (Second Century BC King of Syria Who Reigned over the Seleucid Empire)
Alexander Balas ascended to power as the ruler of the Seleucid Empire in 150 BC following a victorious civil war against King Demetrius I Soter. He solidified his authority through strategic alliances, notably by marrying Princess Cleopatra Thea of the Ptolemaic kingdom. During his reign, the empire experienced territorial losses in the east to the Parthian Empire. However, his rule was later contested by Demetrius II Nicator, leading to a civil conflict that culminated in his defeat and death in battle at the hands of Ptolemy VI Philometor's forces.