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Demetrius (Surnamed Poliorcetes King)

surnamed Poliorcetes, King of Macedonia, was the son of Antigonus. At the age of 22 his father intrusted him with an army against Ptolemy, by whom he was defeated near Gaza. But he soon repaired the loss, and with a fleet of 150 ships sailed to Athens, which he delivered from Demetrius Phalereus. He next took part in the war against Ptolemy, whose fleet he destroyed. In 305 в. c. Demetrius undertook the siege of Rhodes, but after persevering for a year was compelled to DEMETRIUS relinquish the attempt. He afterward defeated Cassander at Thermopylæ; but was called to aid Antigonus against Seleucus and Lysimachus, in Asia. The two armies met at Ipsus, 299 B. c.; and after an obstinate battle, the army of Demetrius was defeated, and his father slain, but he himself fled to Ephesus.

He, however, mustered a new army, and in 295 B. c. relieved Athens from tyranny.

He then slew Alexander, the son of Cassander, and seated himself on the throne of Macedonia. At the end of seven years of constant war he was forced to retire into Asia, where he was reduced to distress. He went to the court of Seleucus, his son-in-law; but a difference breaking out between them, war ensued, and Demetrius was defeated. Deserted by his DEMOCRACY and carried to a great state of perfection the working of mines. His last years he passed in France and Italy, enjoying the society of learned men. Born near St. Petersburg, 1773; died in Florence, 1828. He left two sons, PAUL and ANA- TOLE, who, as well as inheriting his fortune, had also the same high taste, and benevolence. Of these, Count Anatole allied himself to the Bonaparte family, by marrying, in 1840, one of Napoleon's nieces, the Princess Mathilde, daughter of Jerome, and sister of Prince Napoleon.

Russia, as well as other countries, owe to him the foundation of many valuable charitable institutions. He died in 1858.