ALEXANDER BALAS (i.e., "lord"), a native of Smyrna of humble origin, gave himself out to be the son of Antiochus IV. Epiphanes and heir to the Syrian throne. His claims were rec ognized by the Roman senate. At first unsuccessful, he finally defeated the reigning king Demetrius Soter in 150 B.C. and made himself king. But in 146 Demetrius' son, with the help of Alex ander's father-in-law, Ptolemy Philometor, defeated him in a pitched battle near Antioch in Syria. He fled for refuge to a Nabataean prince, who murdered him.
See Maccab. 10 et seq.; Justin xxxv. and 2 ; Josephus, Antiq.
Xiii. 2 ; Appian, Syr. 67; Polybius xxxiii.