History of Macedon - Demetrios Poliorketes ( 294 - 288 BC)
Demetrios Poliorketes was the son of Antigonus who on the distribution
of Alexander's empire received Asia Minor (Turkey). During his early
years Demetrios served as commander of his father's fleet. Demetrios
participated in campaigns in Greece, Palestine, Cyprus, Babylonia,
Rhodes and the Hellespont and became known as (Besieger of Cities).
In 306 BC, Demetrios won a naval battle against Ptolemy I at Salamis.
The growing power of Antigonus began to worry the other heirs of Alexander
and they made an alliance against Antigonus. At the great battle of
Ipsus in 301 BC, Antigonus was defeated and died on the battle field.
Demetrios escaped and met his fleet at Ephesus. Knowing that Asia
Minor was lost he made for Athens to maintain control of his Greek
possessions, but when he arrived he found them already in open revolt.
This caused a change of plans and he returned East where he still
retained a few cities, such as; Ephesus, Tyre, Miletus, Caunus. Sidon
and Cyprus. In particular, he found Salamis, Cyprus a secure base
with its powerful fortress and where he had fought his historic battle
against Ptolemy I. While Demetrios was in Cyprus, Seleucus I offered
Demetrios an alliance and requested to marry Demetrios's daughter
(Stratonice). Demetrios immediately set sail for Syria. However, he
made a detour to the city of Kyinda where the remainder of Alexander's
treasure (some 1200 talents) was located. In a bold move, Demetrios
ceased the treasure from the control of Pleistarcus (brother of Cassander)
and ruler of Cilicia.
With his new wealth, Demetrios returned to Greece to take back the
rebellious cities. While he was fighting these battles, Cassander
died in 297 BC, leaving Macedonia to his eldest son who also died
within the year. Cassander's two younger sons bickered for control
and in 294 BC Demetrios took the opportunity to declare himself king
of Macedonia. With his new power base, Demetrios started a military
buildup to take control of all of Alexander the Great's former territories.
However, the population was weary of supporting all of the wars and
rebelled. Macedonia and Thessaly joined Pyrrhus and most of the Greek
cities just returned to independence. Although he ruled Macedonia
only until 288 BC, Demetrios established a long lasting dynasty of
kings.
Demetrios still refused to give-up, collecting his navy and remaining
followers, he attacked Asia Minor with some success - regained control
of Tyre in 286 BC. The armies of Lysimachus under the leadership of
Agothocles pushed Demetrios out of each of the cities he controlled
and back to the sea (his only real territory). Demetrios with his
diminishing army retreated over the Taurus mountains into the hands
of Seleucus I. The ensuring battles left Demetrios with only a handful
of men and he eventually pleaded with Seleucus I for mercy. He was
put on house arrest on an estate in Apamera Syria, where he drank
himself to death.
