Demesne
or DOMAIN (de-mān'), in law, a manor-house and the land adjacent or near, which a lord keeps in his own hands or immediate occupation, for the use of his family, as distinguished from his tenemental lands, distributed among his tenants. See DOMAIN, PUBLIC.
DEMETRIUS I., a king of Syria, surnamed Soter, son of Seleucus Philopater, born 185 в. C. He was sent as hostage to Rome by his father, on whose death Antiochus Epiphanes, and after him his son, Antiochus Eupator, usurped the throne of Syria. The Roman Senate denied him assistance, but the Syrians recognized him for their lawful prince, and he obtained the throne, 162 в. c. He then declared war against the Jews, and in this war Judas Maccabæus lost his life. A confederacy of the neighboring kings was formed against Demetrius, who was slain about 150 в. c.
DEMETRIUS DEMETRIUS II., called Nicator (conqueror conqueror ), was the son of the preceding. Ptolemy Philometer, King of Egypt, placed him on the throne of his father, after expelling the usurper, Alexander Balas, 146 в. c. He married Cleopatra, the wife of the same Alexander, and daughter of Ptolemy. He was subsequently taken prisoner by the King of Parthia, who gave him his daughter in marriage, which so incensed Cleopatra, that she married Antiochus Sidetes, her brother-in-law. Sidetes, however, fell in battle, and Demetrius recovered his throne; but he did not retain it long, for he was once more expelled by Alexander Zebina, and was killed by the Governor of Tyre, 126 B. C.