King of Babylonia. Known as Balas (derived from bēl “lord”), Alexander I was a bastard son of Antiochus IV who rose against his uncle in 152. After the success of the rebellion and his ascension to the throne Alexander I took on epithet Epiphanes (“manifestation of god”) in order to strengthen his legitimacy by the connection with his father’s memory. Alexandre I’s hold on power would be challenged by a son of Demetrius I. His own infant son, Antiochus VI Dionysus, succeeded him nominally for about four years while the civil war was waged. During his and his successor’s reign, both Roman and Parthian power are growing at the edges of the Seleucid Kingdom.