The Rise and Fall of Demetrius, Pt 2 Quiz

Answer: Lysichamus

After Ipsus, the Successors divided up the territory previously held by Demetrius' father, Antigonous. Lysichamus gained most of Antigonous' holdings in Asia Minor. Demetrius raided Lysichamus' Thrace in retaliation and enriched his forces, according to Plutarch.

Answer: A violent storm destroyed most of the fleet.

After this disaster, Demetrius, resilient as ever, quickly raised another fleet, conquered territory in the Peloponnese and Attica and ran off the fleet of Ptolemy of Egypt. Demetrius' fleet at this point numbered some 300 ships.

Answer: Sparta

Although in Greece he now held territory in both Attica and the Peloponessus, Demetrius' luck at this time was not all good. In the back and forth of the battles and wars of the times, Lysichamus soon regained Demetius' cities in Asia Minor and Ptolemy took most of Cyprus from him.

Answer: Pyrrhus

Alexander V had requested the aid of both Demetrius and Pyrrhus. The latter promptly invaded and annexed Western Macedonia. Demetrius learned that Alexander was plotting to kill him and and dispatched the Macedonian king first. The Macedonians, fearing Demetrius' army, made him King of Macedonia in 294 BC.

Answer: After some initial success by Pyrrhus, he was driven from Demetrius' land and forced to sign a treaty

Demetrius was sorely tested in the war with Pyrrhus, losing Thessaly and much of Macedonia up to Edessa before driving the Epirot king back. But Demetrius had even bigger plans, building a fleet of 500 ships and working towards the retaking of his father's former possessions in Asia Minor. To execute these plans, he needed his western flank secure from Pyrrhus.

The other three Successor kings, Seleucas, Ptolemy and Lysichamus had other ideas and formed an alliance to thwart him.

Answer: Enlist the Illyrian king and his army to invade Macedonia from the west

Demetrius in the end was overthrown by the Macedonians after seven years and he and placed his son Antigonous Gonatas on the throne. Lysichamus and Pyrrhus descended on Macedonia and divided the country between them.

Answer: Athens

Demetrius once more returned to Athens after a devastating loss. But not for long. The Athenians sent out the philosopher Crates to negotiate terms and Demetrius, who was already planning his next fight against the other Successors and lifted the siege and crossed the Aegean with his army.

Answer: False

Demetrius' lifestyle was anything but simple. He was flamboyant, extravagant and often religiously profane. At one point while living and ruling in Athens, he moved his quarters into a rear room of the Parthenon where, according to Plutarch, he "shared his dissolute life" with the goddess Athena and his courtesan Lamia and other famous Athenian prostitutes. Both the Macedonians and Athenians did not want Demetrius for this and other reasons.

Answer: His army deserted to King Seleucas after some initial success

His army deserted him and he fled to the passes of Amanus where Plutarch said he hoped to take the road to Caunas in Caria and make his way to the sea where, ever the optimist and fighter, he expected to find his fleet.

Answer: He was held captive in the Syrian Chersonese by Seleucas and eventually drank himself to death in 283 BC

Demetrius' good fortune had finally run out. Few had achieved his power and prestige, fewer still had over come so many setbacks. Time and again he had raised an army or navy or both, by inspiring men to follow him, and even worship him. His son Antigonous Gonatas would eventually re-ascend the throne of Macedonia, establishing the Antigoniad dynasty, which would rule the country until 168 BC. Such was the life of Demetrius Poliorcetes,son of Antigonous.