Alexander Balas, king of Syria from 150 to 146 B. C. He pretended to be a natural son of Antiochus Epiphanes, and his claim to succeed him was supported by the Romans and several of the princes of Asia. He defeated the troops of Demetrius Soter, and took possession of his tin-one, after which he abandoned himself to pleasure. Demetrius Nica-tor, son of Demetrius Soter, dethroned him and drove him into Arabia, where he was murdered by the chieftain with whom he had taken refuge.