The Antigonid king of Macedon, Perseus had experienced considerable diplomatic successes in the Seleucid Empire, Greece and on the island of Rhodes.

After reaching his majority, Alexander became skillful in Toreutics, learned the Latin language, and became a public notary.

[4][5][6] The final defeat and captivity of Perseus and their children was the end of the Antigonid rule over Macedonia and its territories.

However, by 156 BC, Ariarathes V had emerged as the victor of the Cappadocian civil war.

By the summer of 152 BC, a usurper by the name of Alexander Balas, who claimed to be the son of Antiochus IV, was gaining support and momentum in his bid for the Seleucid throne.

In a military campaign against Alexander Balas near Antioch, Demetrius I was defeated.