Alexander Bales, King of Syria

- 145 BCE

• Name	Alexander Bales
  General Information	Alexander Balas was neither popular, nor an efficient ruler. His reign marks the beginning of the disintegration of the Seleucid realm, with important eastern satrapies such as Media being lost to the nascent Parthian Empire. His full name was Alexander I Theopator Euergetes, surnamed Balas. Alexander Balas claimed to be the son of Antiochus IV Epiphanes and Laodice IV and heir to the Seleucid throne. The ancient sources, Polybius and Diodorus say that this claim was false and that he and his sister Laodice VI were really natives of Smyrna of humble origin. Modern scholars disagree about whether this is true or was propaganda put about by Alexander's opponents.  [2, 4]
  History	150 BCE to 145 BCE
  150 BCE - Alexander defeated Demetrius I Soter for the crown in 150 BC. [2] 145 BCE - He lost the crown to Demetrius II Nicator during his defeat at the Battle of Antioch (145 BC) in Syria, dying shortly after. [2]
  Death	145 BCE  [1, 4]
  Alexander Balas died in battle against Demetrius II of Syria. [4]
  Person ID, Branch	I22810
  Last Modified	14 Jun 2025

  
  

  Spouse / Partner	Cleopatra Thea,   b. Abt 164 BCE   d. 121 BCE  [1]  Other Partners: Demetrius II Nicator, King of Syria  m. Abt 145 BCE;   Antiochus VII Sidetes  m. yes, date unknow
  Marriage	Abt 150 BCE  [4]
  Annulled	say 146 BCE  [4]
  The marriage was dissolved by her father, Ptolemy VI of Egypt.
  Children	1. Antiochus VI Dionysus  [Father: Birth]  [Mother: Birth]
  Photos		Alexander Balas and Cleopatra Thea
  Family ID	F6629	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
  Last Modified	13 Jul 2021

  
  

• Pedigree

  ← Click to display 1Alexander Bales, King of Syria( – 145 BCE) 2 3

  
  

• Photos

  Coin of Alexander I Balas, Antioch mint

  
  

• Sources 🟢 Primary Evidence 🟡 Secondary Evidence 🟠 Tertiary Evidence 🔴 Unreliable Evidence

  [S60] Stuart, Roderick W., Royalty for Commoners, The Complete Known Lineage of John of Gaunt, Son of Edward III, King of England, and Queen Philippa Fourth Edition, (Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing Company, 2002). [S304] Wikipedia, Alexander Balas. [S304] Wikipedia, Ptolemy VI Philometor. [S304] Wikipedia, Cleopatra Thea.