Simon gave support to Demetrius II Nicator, the Seleucid king, and in return Demetrius exempted the Maccabees from tribute.
In 124 BC Ptolemy VIII no longer supported his pretender for the Seleucid throne, Alexander II Zabinas, but Antiochus VIII Grypus, the son of Demetrius II Nicator and Cleopatra Thea.
Demetrius | Seleucus I Nicator | Demetrius Augustine Gallitzin | Demetrius of Anacopia | Demetrius I of Macedon | Demetrius II Nicator | Demetrius I of Bactria | Demetrius and the Gladiators | Demetrius III Eucaerus | Demetrius Hopkins | Demetrius Byrd | Western Nicator | Rusudan, daughter of Demetrius I of Georgia | Demetrius, qualified as "ANIKETOS", i.e. "Invincible" (Pedigree coin minted by Agathocles of Bactria | Demetrius I Soter | Church of St Demetrius, Patalenitsa | Church of St Demetrius |
According to this inscription, the statue was carved in 139 BC on the occasion of a conquest for Seleucid Greeks (under Demetrius II Nicator) against the Parthians (under Mithridates I of Parthia), though the Seleucids were later defeated and driven from the region.