Demetrius I Soter

Demetrius I Soter
Basileus of the Farsian Empire
Reign	296 – 284 BC
Coronation	295 BC
Predecessor	Alexander XII
Successor	Artabanus III
Born	322 BC Mithridat-Alcaeia
Died	284 BC
Spouse	Stratonice Barsine I
Dynasty	Aegaid dynasty
Father	Alexander XII
Mother	Roxana I

Demetrius I Soter commonly known by his epithet, Soter meaning "the saviour" (322- 284 BC) was the Basileus of the Alcaenian empire (in modern Mesogeia). He succeeded his father Alexander XII on the throne in 296 BC, and reigned until his death. Demetrius I, like his forefathers wasa vigorous military commander in his own right.

Early life

Demetrius was born at the imperial summer palace at Agbatana in 322 BC, to then prince Alexander (later Alexander XII) and his first wife Roxana I. Demetrius' birth was heralded as a good omen by his grandfather Alexander XI, in what had become a very depressing year for the imperial family who had witnessed the loss of an imperial princess and the empress dowager within months of each other.

Demetrius received the tradtional education of a prince of the Alcaenian empire, which included literature, music, equstrianism and athletics.

In the final years of his father's reign, the powerful Magabyzos clan, (one of the most powerful Aerionese noble houses in the empire, and traditional overlords of the upper satrapies sought an alliance with the imperial dynasty to counter the influence of their chief rivals, the Khorshid dynasty of Transigozania.

In any case Barsine (a lady of the Magabyzos clan) was presented as a concubine to the elderly Emperor Alexander XII However the young Prince Demetrius became so enamored with the beautiful woman that he nearly starved himself to death, threatening to end his life and to throw the succession into chaos unless he was allowed to marry Barsine.

After much contention and the threat of open rebellion, Demetrius' father granted the request and allowed Demetrius and Barsine were married and produced offspring, many critics citing Alexander XII illness as the primary cause for him not dealing more harshly with his son as he had done with his eldest son prince Alexander, who had raised up in rebellion only a few months earlier and been executed for treason.

Reign

In 296 BC, Demetrius' father Alexander XII died in his bed after suffering from an effected wound. After waiting the prescribed months of mourning Demetrius journeyed to Farsargadai with the entire court to undergo a coronation ceremony. It should be noted that just three days after his father's death, the new Basileus traveled to each of the three major fire temples; relighting the fires that had been extinguished at his father's death. He donated generously to the fire temple at [INSERT TEMPLE].

Demetrius was enthroned on the Celestial throne (presently the oldest continuously used throne in use) The traditional coronation ceremonies and enthronement rites that took place at Demetrius' coronation were continued by his successors and later descendants. In regards to foreign affairs Demetrius inherited a state of war with the [INSERT PLACENAME].

After Demetrius' death in 284 BC, the throne was inherited by his only son Artabanus III, by his first wife Stratonice.

Legacy

Demetrius and Barsine had offspring, a daughter named Barsine, (later Barsine II, who married her uncle Prince Philip (the future Philip V). The love affair of Demetrius and Barsine has been dramatized over the last thousand years, with poems, literature, works of art, and several full length feature films, including a 1940 film titled “The Concubine”, (a film which has been heralded as one of the greatest Mesogeian films ever produced) starring the fabulously beautiful Talia Lytras alongside heartthrob and noted womanizer Kostas Farzan.