Demetrius I
Greco-Bactrian/ Indo-Greek king
Coin of Demetrius I. Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Reign	200–180 BC
Titles	"Invincible" (Aniketos), possibly posthumous.
Predecessor	Euthydemus I
Dynasty	Euthydemid dynasty
Father	Euthydemus I

Demetrius I (Greek: ΔΗΜΗΤΡΙΟΣ, Persian: ‎/Pashto: دیمتریوس بلخی) was a Buddhist Greco-Bactrian king (reigned circa 200–180 BC). He was the son of Euthydemus and succeeded him around 200 BC, after which he conquered extensive areas in what now is eastern Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan^[1] thus creating an Indo-Greek kingdom far from Hellenistic Greece. He was never defeated in battle and was posthumously qualified as the Invincible (Aniketos) on the pedigree coins of his successor Agathocles.^[2]

"Demetrius" was the name of at least two, probably three Greek kings of Bactria (known as "ولایت بلخی" or Balkh Province in Afghanistan) and India. The much debated Demetrius II was a possible relative, whereas Demetrios III (c. 100 BC), is known only from numismatic evidence.

Encounter with Antiochus III[link]

Demetrius, qualified as "ANIKETOS", i.e. "Invincible" (Pedigree coin minted by Agathocles). British Museum.

The father of Demetrius, Euthydemus, was attacked by the Seleucid ruler Antiochus III around 210 BC. Although he commanded 10,000 horsemen, Euthydemus initially lost a battle on the Arius^[3] and had to retreat. He then successfully resisted a three-year siege in the fortified city of Bactra, before Antiochus finally decided to recognize the new ruler.

The final negotiations were made between Antiochus III and Demetrius. Antiochus III was reportedly highly impressed by the demeanour of the young prince, and offered him one of his daughters in marriage, around 206 BC:

"And after several journeys of Teleas to and fro between the two, Euthydemus at last sent his son Demetrius to confirm the terms of the treaty. Antiochus received the young prince; and judging from his appearance, conversation, and the dignity of his manners that he was worthy of royal power, he first promised to give him one of his own daughters, and secondly conceded the royal title to his father." Polybius 11.34^[4]

The term used for "young prince" is neaniskos (νεανίσκος), suggesting an age around 16, which in turn gives a birth date for Demetrius around 222 BC.

Invasion of India[link]

Silver tetradrachm depicting the Greco-Bactrian king Demetrius (r. c. 205–171 BC).
Obv. Draped and wearing an elephant scalp, symbol of his conquests in India.
Rev. Youthful, naked Heracles, crowning himself with right hand, with lion skin and upright club resting on his left arm. Greek legend: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΔΗΜΗΤΡΙΟΥ (BASILEOS DEMETRIOU) "Of King Demetrius".

Demetrius started the invasion of northwestern India from 180 BC, following the destruction of the Mauryan dynasty by the general Pusyamitra Sunga, who then founded the new Indian Sunga dynasty (185–78 BC). The Mauryans had had diplomatic alliances with the Greeks, and they may have been considered as allies by the Greco-Bactrians.^[5] The Greco-Bactrians may also have invaded India in order to protect Greek populations in the subcontinent.^[6]

Demetrius may have first started to recover the province of Arachosia, an area south of the Hindu Kush already inhabited by many Greeks but ruled by the Mauryas since the liberation of the territory by Chandragupta from Seleucus. In his "Parthian stations", Isidorus of Charax mentions a colony named Demetrias, supposedly founded by Demetrius himself:

"Beyond is Arachosia. And the Parthians call this White India; there are the city of Biyt and the city of Pharsana and the city of Chorochoad and the city of Demetrias; then Alexandropolis, the metropolis of Arachosia; it is Greek, and by it flows the river Arachotus. As far as this place the land is under the rule of the Parthians." "Parthians stations", 1st century BC^[7]

A Greek dedication inscribed on stone and discovered in Kuliab, a hundred kilometers northeast of Ai-Khanoum, also mentioned the victories of the prince Demetrius during the reign of his father:

"Heliodotos dedicated this fragrant altar (...) so that the greatest of all kings Euthydemus, as well as his son, the glorious, victorious and remarkable Demetrius, be preserved of all pains, with the help of the Fortune with divine thoughts"^[8]

The Greek campaigns may have gone as far as the capital Pataliputra in eastern India (today Patna):

"Those who came after Alexander went to the Ganges and Pataliputra" (Strabo, XV.698)

"The Greeks who caused Bactria to revolt grew so powerful on account of the fertility of the country that they became masters, not only of Ariana, but also of India, as Apollodorus of Artemita says: and more tribes were subdued by them than by Alexander — by Menander in particular (at least if he actually crossed the Hypanis towards the east and advanced as far as the Imaüs), for some were subdued by him personally and others by Demetrius, the son of Euthydemus the king of the Bactrians." (Strabo 11.11.1^[9])

Silver tetradrachm of Demetrius I. British Museum.

It is generally considered that Demetrius ruled in Taxila (where many of his coins were found in the archaeological site of Sirkap). The Indian records also describes Greek attacks on Saketa, Panchala, Mathura and Pataliputra (Gargi-Samhita, Yuga Purana chapter). However, the campaigns to Pataliputra are generally attested to the later king Menander I and Demetrius I probably only invaded areas in Pakistan. Other kings may have expanded the territory as well.

By ca 175 BC, the Indo-Greeks ruled parts of northwestern India, while the Sungas remained in the Gangetic, Central, and Eastern India. The Indo Greek presence in the Northwest continued until the last petty principality was absorbed by the Sakas around 20 BC.

The Hathigumpha inscription, written by the king of Kalinga, Kharavela, has been interpreted to describe the presence of the Greek king "Demetrius" with his army in eastern India, possibly as far as the city of Rajagriha about 70 km southeast of Pataliputra and one of the foremost Buddhist sacred cities, but claims that Demetrius ultimately retreated to Mathura on hearing of Kharavela's military successes further south:

"Then in the eighth year, (Kharavela) with a large army having sacked Goradhagiri causes pressure on Rajagaha (Rajagriha). On account of the loud report of this act of valour, the Yavana (Greek) King Dimi[ta] retreated to Mathura having extricated his demoralized army." Epigraphia Indica, Vol. XX.^[10]

Aftermaths[link]

Silver obol of Demetrius. Extremely small (12 millimeters in diameter), but beautifully crafted.

Demetrius I died of unknown reasons, and the date 180 BC, is merely a suggestion aimed to allow suitable regnal periods for subsequent kings, of which there were several. Even if some of them were co-regents, civil wars and temporary divisions of the empire are most likely.

The kings Pantaleon, Antimachus, Agathocles and possibly Euthydemus II ruled after Demetrius I, and theories about their origin include all of them being relatives of Demetrius I, or only Antimachus. Eventually, the kingdom of Bactria fell to the able newcomer Eucratides.

Demetrius II was a later king, possibly a son or nephew of his namesake, and he ruled in India only. Justin mentions him being defeated by the Bactrian king Eucratides, an event which took place at the end of the latter's reign, possibly around 150 BC. Demetrius II left behind his generals Apollodotus and Menander I, who in turn became kings of India and rulers of the Indo-Greek Kingdom following his death.

According to Ptolemy, a Demetriapolis was founded in Arachosia.

Demetrius is a legend as well as an enigma. He was mentioned by Geoffrey Chaucer ("D, lord of Ind").

Demetrius and Buddhism[link]

Greco-Buddhist representation of Buddha, Gandhara, 1st-2nd century AD.

Buddhism flourished under the Indo-Greek kings, and it has been suggested by W.W. Tarn that their invasion of India was not only intended to show their support for the Mauryan empire. However, that persecution in turn is debatable, with contemporary historians such as Romila Thapar suggesting that some of the accounts might be the product of exaggeration from Buddhist missionaries. Thapar attributes purely economic motivations to the Indo-Greek invasion of Southern Asia.^[11]

Coinage & connection with Buddhism[link]

The coins of Demetrius are of four types. One bilingual type with Greek and Kharoshthi legends exists: it is naturally associated with the Indian Demetrius II. A series with the king in diadem are likely to be early issues of Demetrius I.

More interesting are the "elephant" coins: The first type shows Demetrius (I) with elephant-crown, a well-known symbol of India and an allusion to Ganesha.

The other "elephant" type of Demetrius I represents a rejoicing elephant, depicted on the front on the coin and surrounded by the royal bead-and-reel decoration, and therefore treated on the same level as a King. The elephant, one of the symbols of Buddhism and the Gautama Buddha, possibly represents the victory of Buddhism brought about by Demetrius. The reverse of the coin depicts the caduceus, symbol of reconciliation between two fighting serpents, which is possibly a representation of peace between the Greeks and the Sungas, and likewise between Buddhism and Hinduism.

Alternatively though, the elephant has also been described as a possible symbol of the Indian capital of Taxila (Tarn), or still as a symbol of India. Unambiguous Buddhist symbols are found on later Greek coins, but Demetrius I, who was born in the milieu of Bactria and struck coins with Buddhist gods, personally was a Buddhist. His conquests did however influence the Buddhist religion in India:

Greco-Buddhist art[link]

There are several parallels between Demetrius and the first representations of the Greek Buddha in human form.

Also in another parallel, the characteristic protector deity of Demetrius (Herakles standing with his club over his arm, as seen on the reverse of his coins), was represented in the Greco-Buddhist art of Gandhara as the protector deity of the Buddha.

INDO-GREEK KINGS AND THEIR TERRITORIES Based on Bopearachchi (1991)
Territories/ Dates	PAROPAMISADE	ARACHOSIA	GANDHARA	WESTERN PUNJAB	EASTERN PUNJAB
200–190 BCE	Demetrius I
190–180 BCE	Agathocles 50px	Pantaleon
185–170 BCE	Antimachus I
180–160 BCE	Apollodotus I
175–170 BCE	Demetrius II
160–155 BCE	Antimachus II
170–145 BCE	Eucratides
155–130 BCE	Menander I
130–120 BCE	Zoilos I50px		Agathokleia
120–110 BCE	Lysias 50px		Strato I50px
110–100 BCE	Antialcidas		Heliokles II
100 BCE	Polyxenios		Demetrius III 50px
100–95 BCE	Philoxenus
95–90 BCE	Diomedes	Amyntas		Epander
90 BCE	Theophilos 50px	Peukolaos		Thraso
90–85 BCE	Nicias	Menander II		Artemidoros
90–70 BCE	Hermaeus	Archebios50px
	Yuezhi tribes		Maues (Indo-Scythian)
75–70 BCE			Telephos	Apollodotus II
65–55 BCE				Hippostratos	Dionysios
55–35 BCE				Azes I (Indo-Scythian)	Zoilos II
55–35 BCE					Apollophanes50px
25 BCE – 10 CE					Strato II & III
					Rajuvula (Indo-Scythian)

External links[link]

• Coins of Demetrius
• More coins of Demetrius
• Catalogue of coins of Demetrius

See also[link]

• Greco-Bactrian Kingdom
• Seleucid Empire
• Greco-Buddhism
• Indo-Scythians
• Indo-Parthian Kingdom
• Kushan Empire

Notes[link]

History of Afghanistan

See also: Timeline

Pre-Islamic Proto-Elamite civilization (2300–1800 BC) Indus valley civilization (2200–1800 BC) Oxus civilization (2100–1800 BC) Aryans (1700–700 BC) Median Empire (728–550 BC) Achaemenids (550–330 BC) Seleucids (330–150 BC) Mauryans (305–180 BC) Greco-Bactrians (256–125 BC) Indo-Greeks (180–130 BC) Indo-Scythians (Sakas) (155–80? BC) Indo-Parthians (20 BC–50? AD) Kushans (135 BC–248 AD) Sassanids (230–565) Indo-Sassanids (248–410) Kidarites (320–465) Hephthalites (410–557) Kabul Shahi (565–879) Islamic period Rashidun Caliphate (642–641) Umayyads (661–750) Abbasids (750–821) Tahirids (821–873) Saffarids (863–900) Samanids (875–999) Ghaznavids (963–1187) Seljukids (1037–1194) Khwarezmids (1077–1231) Ghorids (1149–1212) Ilkhanate (1258–1353) Kartids (1245–1381) Timurids (1370–1506) Arghun (1479-1522) Mughals (1501–1738) |Safavids (1510–1709) Hotaki dynasty (1709–1738) Afsharids (1738–1747) Modern history Durrani Empire (1747–1826) Emirate (1826–1919) Kingdom (1919–1973) Republic (1973–1978) Democratic Republic (1978–1992) Islamic State (1992–1996) Islamic Emirate (1996–2001) Islamic Republic (2001–present) Afghan Civil War  (1979–present) Soviet war  (1979–1989) Civil War, first phase (1989–1992) Civil War, second phase (1992–1996) Civil War, third phase (1996–2001)  War in Afghanistan (2001–present)

Book ·  Category ·  Portal

References[link]

• "The Shape of Ancient Thought. Comparative studies in Greek and Indian Philosophies" by Thomas McEvilley (Allworth Press and the School of Visual Arts, 2002) ISBN 1-58115-203-5
• "Buddhism in Central Asia" by B.N. Puri (Motilal Banarsidass Pub, January 1, 2000) ISBN 81-208-0372-8
• "The Greeks in Bactria and India", W.W. Tarn, Cambridge University Press.

Marble bust of Demetrius I Poliorcetes. Roman copy from 1st century AD of a Greek original from 3rd century BC

{{Infobox royalty | name = Demetrius I | title = King of Macedon | titletext = | more =

| image =

Marble bust of Demetrius I Poliorcetes. Roman copy from 1st century AD of a Greek original from 3rd century BC

Demetrius I (Greek: Δημήτριος, 337 BC – 283 BC), called Poliorcetes (Greek: Πολιορκητής - "The Besieger"), son of Antigonus I Monophthalmus and Stratonice, was a king of Macedon (294–288 BC). He belonged to the Antigonid dynasty.

Biography[link]

At the age of twenty-two he was left by his father to defend Syria against Ptolemy the son of Lagus; he was defeated at the Battle of Gaza, but soon partially repaired his loss by a victory in the neighbourhood of Myus. In the spring of 310, he was soundly defeated when he tried to expel Seleucus I Nicator from Babylon; his father was defeated in the autumn. As a result of this Babylonian War, Antigonus lost almost two thirds of his empire: all eastern satrapies became Seleucus'.

After several campaigns against Ptolemy on the coasts of Cilicia and Cyprus, Demetrius sailed with a fleet of 250 ships to Athens. He freed the city from the power of Cassander and Ptolemy, expelled the garrison which had been stationed there under Demetrius of Phalerum, and besieged and took Munychia (307 BC). After these victories he was worshipped by the Athenians as a tutelary deity under the title of Soter (σωτήρ) ("Preserver").

In the campaign of 306 BC against Ptolemy he defeated Menelaus, Ptolemy's brother, in the naval Battle of Salamis, completely destroying the naval power of Egypt. Demetrius conquered Cyprus in 306 BC, capturing one of Ptolemy's sons.^[1] Following the victory Antigonus assumed the title king and bestowed the same upon his son Demetrius. In 305 BC, now bearing the title of king bestowed upon him by his father, he endeavoured to punish the Rhodians for having deserted his cause; his ingenuity in devising new siege engines in his unsuccessful attempt to reduce the capital gained him the title of Poliorcetes. Among his creations were a battering ram 180 feet (55 m) long, requiring 1000 men to operate it; and a wheeled siege tower named "Helepolis" (or "Taker of Cities") which stood 125 feet (38 m) tall and 60 feet (18 m) wide, weighing 360,000 pounds.

Coin of Demetrius I (337-283 BC). Greek inscription reads ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΔΗΜΗΤΡΙΟΥ ([coin] of King Demetrius)

Demetrius I Poliorcetes portrayed on a tetradrachm coin

In 302 BC he returned a second time to Greece as liberator, and reinstated the Corinthian League. But his licentiousness and extravagance made the Athenians long for the government of Cassander. Among his outrages was his courtship of a young boy named Democles the Handsome. The youth kept on refusing his attention but one day found himself cornered at the baths. Having no way out and being unable to physically resist his suitor, he took the lid off the hot water cauldron and jumped in. His death was seen as a mark of honor for himself and his country. In another instance, he waived a fine of 50 talents imposed on a citizen in exchange for the favors of Cleaenetus, that man's son.^[2] He also sought the attention of Lamia, a Greek courtesan. He demanded 250 talents from the Athenians, which he then gave to Lamia and other courtesans to buy soap and cosmetics.^[2]

He also roused the jealousy of Alexander's Diadochi; Seleucus, Cassander and Lysimachus united to destroy him and his father. The hostile armies met at the Ipsus in Phrygia (301 BC). Antigonus was killed, and Demetrius, after sustaining severe losses, retired to Ephesus. This reversal of fortune stirred up many enemies against him—the Athenians refused even to admit him into their city. But he soon afterwards ravaged the territory of Lysimachus and effected a reconciliation with Seleucus, to whom he gave his daughter Stratonice in marriage. Athens was at this time oppressed by the tyranny of Lachares - a popular leader who made himself supreme in Athens in 296 BC - but Demetrius, after a protracted blockade, gained possession of the city (294 BC) and pardoned the inhabitants for their misconduct in 301.

In the same year he established himself on the throne of Macedonia by murdering Alexander V, the son of Cassander. In 291 BC he married Lanassa, the former wife of Pyrrhus. But his new position as ruler of Macedonia was continually threatened by Pyrrhus, who took advantage of his occasional absence to ravage the defenceless part of his kingdom (Plutarch, Pyrrhus, 7 if.); at length, the combined forces of Pyrrhus, Ptolemy and Lysimachus, assisted by the disaffected among his own subjects, obliged him to leave Macedonia in 288 BC.

He passed into Asia and attacked some of the provinces of Lysimachus with varying success. Famine and pestilence destroyed the greater part of his army, and he solicited Seleucus' support and assistance. But before he reached Syria hostilities broke out, and after he had gained some advantages over his son-in-law, Demetrius was totally forsaken by his troops on the field of battle and surrendered to Seleucus.

His son Antigonus offered all his possessions, and even his own person, in order to procure his father's liberty. But all proved unavailing, and Demetrius died after a confinement of three years (283 BC). His remains were given to Antigonus and honoured with a splendid funeral at Corinth.

His descendants remained in possession of the Macedonian throne till the time of Perseus, when Macedon was conquered by the Romans in 168 BC.

Demetrius was married five times; his first wife was Phila daughter of Regent Antipater by whom he had two children: Stratonice of Syria and Antigonus II Gonatas. His second wife was Eurydice of Athens and his third wife was Deidamia, a sister of Pyrrhus of Epirus. Deidamia bore him a son called Alexander who is said by Plutarch to have spent his life in Egypt, probably in an honourable captivity. His fourth wife was Lanassa and fifth wife was Ptolemais, daughter of Ptolemy I Soter and Eurydice of Egypt, by whom he had a son called Demetrius the Fair. He also had an affair with a celebrated courtesan called Lamia of Athens, by whom he had a daughter called Phila.

Literary references[link]

Plutarch's account of Demetrius' departure from Macedonia in 288 BC inspired Constantine Cavafy to write "King Demetrius" (ὁ βασιλεὺς Δημήτριος) in 1906, his earliest surviving poem on a historical theme.

Demetrius appears (under the Greek form of his name, Demetrios) in L. Sprague de Camp's historical novel, The Bronze God of Rhodes, which largely concerns itself with his siege of Rhodes.

Alfred Duggan's novel Elephants and Castles provides a lively fictionalised account of his life.

References[link]

•  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. 

Sources[link]

Ancient sources[link]

• Plutarch, Life of Demetrius
• Diodorus Siculus, Library of History, books 19–21
• Polyaenus, Stratagems, 4.7
• Justin, Epitome of Trogus, books 15–16
• Athenaeus, Deipnosophists, 6.252–255

Modern sources[link]

• R. M. Errington, A History of the Hellenistic World, pp. 33–58. Blackwell Publishing (2008). ISBN 978-0-631-23388-6.
• Demetrius I at Livius.org

See also[link]

• Winged Victory of Samothrace

v t e Kings of Macedon Argeads Karanus Koenus Tyrimmas Perdiccas I Argaeus I Philip I Aeropus I Alcetas I Amyntas I Alexander I Alcetas II Perdiccas II Archelaus I Craterus Orestes and Aeropus II Archelaus II Amyntas II Pausanias Argaeus II Amyntas III Alexander II Perdiccas III Amyntas IV Philip II Alexander the Great Philip III Alexander IV Regents Ptolemy of Aloros Antipater Polyperchon Cassander Antipatrids Cassander Philip IV Alexander V Antipater II Antipater Etesias Sosthenes Antigonids Demetrius I Antigonus II Demetrius II Antigonus III Philip V Perseus Philip VI (pretender) Non-dynastic Lysimachus Pyrrhus Ptolemy Keraunos Meleager

 id:canvas  value:rgb(0.97,0.97,0.97)
 id:white  value:rgb(1,1,1)
 id:subtitle  value:gray(0.8)
 id:grid1   value:gray(0.7)
 id:grid2   value:gray(0.88)
 id:black   value:rgb(0,0,0)
 id:events value:rgb(0.75,1,0.75)
 id:mark1   value:rgb(0,0.7,0)
 id:mark2    value:rgb(0.7,0,0)
 id:years    value:gray(0.5)
 id:period1  value:rgb(1,1,0)
 id:period2  value:rgb(1,0.75,0)
 id:Mil value:rgb(1,0.8,0.4)
 id:arg   value:red            legend:Argaed
 id:anti  value:purple           legend:Antigonid
 id:sel   value:green          legend:Seleucid
 id:pto   value:blue           legend:Ptolemaic
 id:pat   value:tan2           legend:Antipatrid
 id:att  value:yellow legend:Atallid 
 id:oth  value:orange         legend:other

 bar:title_king
 bar:hist1
 bar:hist2
 bar:title_regent
 bar:hist3
 bar:hist4
 bar:title_macedon
 bar:hist5
 bar:hist6
 bar:title_greece
 bar:hist7
 bar:hist8
 bar:title_peloponnesus
 bar:hist9
 bar:hist10
 bar:title_thrace
 bar:hist11
 bar:hist12
 bar:title_asiaw
 bar:hist13
 bar:hist14
 bar:title_asiae
 bar:hist15
 bar:hist16
 bar:title_egypt
 bar:hist17
 bar:hist18
 bar:title_syria
 bar:hist19
 bar:hist20
 bar:title_babylon
 bar:hist21
 bar:hist22
 bar:title_east
 bar:hist23
 bar:hist24
 bar:title_events
 barset:events
 bar:dummy2 # separator

 mark:(line,black)
 fontsize:S
 width:14
 shift:(5,-6)
bar:title_king    from:start till:end text:"Macedonian King" fontsize:M anchor:middle align:center width:10 color:subtitle
bar:title_regent    from:start till:end text:"Regent" fontsize:M anchor:middle align:center width:10 color:subtitle
 bar:title_macedon    from:start till:end text:"Macedon" fontsize:M anchor:middle align:center width:10 color:subtitle
 bar:title_greece    from:start till:end text:"Mainland Greece" fontsize:M anchor:middle align:center width:10 color:subtitle
 bar:title_peloponnesus  from:start till:end text:"Peloponnesus" fontsize:M anchor:middle align:center width:10 color:subtitle
 bar:title_thrace from:start till:end text:"Thrace" fontsize:M anchor:middle align:center width:10 color:subtitle mark:(line,white)
 bar:title_asiaw from:start till:end text:"Asia Minor (west)" fontsize:M anchor:middle align:center width:10 color:subtitle mark:(line,white)
 bar:title_asiae from:start till:end text:"Asia Minor (east)" fontsize:M anchor:middle align:center width:10 color:subtitle mark:(line,white)
 bar:title_egypt from:start till:end text:"Egypt" fontsize:M anchor:middle align:center width:10 color:subtitle mark:(line,white)
 bar:title_syria from:start till:end text:"Coele Syria" fontsize:M anchor:middle align:center width:10 color:subtitle mark:(line,white)
 bar:title_babylon from:start till:end text:"Babylonia" fontsize:M anchor:middle align:center width:10 color:subtitle mark:(line,white)
 bar:title_east from:start till:end text:"Eastern Satrapies" fontsize:M anchor:middle align:center width:10 color:subtitle mark:(line,white)
 bar:title_events from:start till:end text:"Events" fontsize:M anchor:middle align:center width:10 color:subtitle mark:(line,white)
 shift:(5,-5)
 mark:(line,Mil)
 color:events

 barset:events   
 barset:break
 at:-323 text:Death of Alexander
 at:-320 text:Assassination of Perdiccas
 at:-317 text:Battle of Paraitacene
 at:-317 text:Arrhidaeus killed
 at:-316 text:Battle of Gabiene
 barset:break
 at:-312 text:Battle of Gaza
 at:-309 text:Assassination of Alexander IV
 at:-307 text:Battle of Salamis
 at:-305 text:Siege of Rhodes
 at:-301 text:Battle of Ipsus
 barset:break
 at:-288 text:Macedon invaded by Pyrrhus
 at:-281 text:Battle of Corupedium
 at:-280 text:Gallic Invasions

 mark:(none,mark2)
 width:3
 align:left
 color:black

 bar:hist1
 from:-323 till:-317 shift:(2,0) color:arg text:Arrhidaeus
 from:-306 till:-277 shift:(2,0) color:oth text:Various claimants

 bar:hist2
 from:-323 till:-309 shift:(2,0) color:arg text:Alexander IV
 from:-277 till:-270 shift:(2,0) color:anti text:Antigonus II

 bar:hist3 
 from:-323 till:-320 shift:(-10,0) color:oth text:Perdiccas
 from:-319 till:-309 shift:(2,0) color:oth text:Polyperchon

 bar:hist4 
 from:-320 till:-319 shift:(2,0) color:pat text:Antipater

 bar:hist5
 from:-323 till:-319 shift:(2,0) color:pat text:Antipater
 from:-319 till:-318 shift:(2,0) color:oth text:Polyperchon
 from:-298 till:-294 shift:(2,0) color:pat text:Alexander V
 from:-288 till:-281 shift:(2,0) color:oth text:Lysimachus
 from:-277 till:-270 shift:(2,0) color:anti text:Antigonus II

 bar:hist6
 from:-319 till:-298 shift:(2,0) color:pat text:Cassander
 from:-294 till:-288 shift:(2,0) color:anti text:Demetrius I
 from:-281 till:-277 shift:(2,0) color:oth text:Anarchy
 
 bar:hist7
 from:-323 till:-319 shift:(2,0) color:pat text:Antipater
 from:-307 till:-301 shift:(-10,0) color:anti text:Antigonus I
 from:-298 till:-294 shift:(2,0) color:pat text:Alexander V
 from:-286 till:-281 shift:(2,0) color:oth text:Lysimachus
 from:-277 till:-270 shift:(2,0) color:anti text:Antigonus II

 bar:hist8
 from:-319 till:-307 shift:(2,0) color:pat text:Cassander
 from:-301 till:-298 shift:(2,0) color:pat text:Cassander
 from:-294 till:-286 shift:(2,0) color:anti text:Demetrius I
 from:-281 till:-277 shift:(2,0) color:oth text:Anarchy

 bar:hist9
 from:-323 till:-319 shift:(2,0) color:pat text:Antipater
 from:-303 till:-301 shift:(2,0) color:anti text:Antigonus I
 from:-286 till:-270 shift:(2,0) color:anti text:Antigonus II  

 bar:hist10
 from:-319 till:-303 shift:(2,0) color:oth text:Polyperchon
 from:-301 till:-286 shift:(2,0) color:anti text:Demetrius I

 bar:hist11
 from:-323 till:-281 shift:(2,0) color:oth text:Lysimachus
 from:-277 till:-270 shift:(2,0) color:anti text:Antigonus II

 bar:hist12
 from:-281 till:-277 shift:(2,0) color:oth text:Anarchy 

 bar:hist13
 from:-323 till:-320 shift:(2,0) color:oth text:Eumenes
 from:-301 till:-281 shift:(2,0) color:oth text:Lysimachus
 from:-281 till:-270 shift:(2,0) color:sel text:Antiochus I

 bar:hist14
 from:-320 till:-301 shift:(2,0) color:anti text:Antigonus I
 from:-281 till:-270 shift:(2,0)   color:att text:Philetaerus (Pergamon)                               

 bar:hist15
 from:-323 till:-315 shift:(2,0) color:oth text:Eumenes
 from:-301 till:-281 shift:(2,0) color:sel text:Seleucus I

 bar:hist16
 from:-315 till:-301 shift:(2,0) color:anti text:Antigonus I
 from:-281 till:-270 shift:(2,0)   color:sel text:Antiochus I

 bar:hist17
 from:-323 till:-282 shift:(2,0) color:pto text:Ptolemy I

 bar:hist18
 from:-282 till:-270 shift:(2,0) color:pto text:Ptolemy II

 bar:hist19
 from:-323 till:-321 shift:(2,0) color:oth text: Laomedon of Mytilene
 from:-282 till:-270 shift:(2,0) color:pto text:Ptolemy II

 bar:hist20
 from:-321 till:-282 shift:(2,0) color:pto text:Ptolemy I

 bar:hist21
 from:-323 till:-320 shift:(2,0) color:oth text: Archon of Pella
 from:-281 till:-270 shift:(2,0) color:sel text:Antiochus I

 bar:hist22
 from:-320 till:-281 shift:(2,0) color:sel text:Seleucus I

 bar:hist23
 from:-323 till:-308 shift:(2,0) color:oth text: Various
 from:-281 till:-270 shift:(2,0) color:sel text:Antiochus I
 
 bar:hist24
 from:-308 till:-281 shift:(2,0) color:sel text:Seleucus I

Jin Li (Chinese: 金力; pinyin: Jin Li) is a Chinese geneticist. Jin is a professor at the National Human Genome Center in Shanghai as well as at the Institute of Genetics of Fudan University.^[1] Jin is the principal investigator of East Asian populations for the Genographic Project which collects DNA samples to map historical human migration patterns around the world.^[2]

He is a leading proponent of the model of recent African origin of modern humans.^[3] His research presented evidence that the majority of the gene pools in China originated from Africa.^[4] His team analyzed the Y chromosomes of males around China and compared this group with those of Southeast Asians and Africans. Results of the analysis suggested that Southeast Asia was the first destination of the migration from Africa to Asia which began approximately 60,000 years ago; from there, migrants moved into Southern China, then crossing the Yangtze River to Northern China.^[5][6] He "could not find any evidence that is consistent with the hypothesis of independent origin in China" in the 1998 study which used genetic markers called microsatellites to compare Chinese populations.^[4][7] He stated that while his research does not necessarily rule out independent origin, the burden of proof has been shifted to those who believe in independent origin.^[4] The findings contrast with the hypothesis that the Peking Man was the ancestor of Chinese people.^[3]

References[link]

1. ^ People's Daily. New Genetics Evidence Proves African Origin of Modern Chinese. July 15, 2000.
2. ^ National Geogrpahic. Profile: Li Jin. Accessed 2010-08-13.
3. ^ ^{a b} China News. Genetic research shows that the Peking Man is not Chinese people's ancestor. Sina.com. January 14, 2005. (Chinese)
4. ^ ^{a b c} Van Arsdel, K., Garvin, L. Genetic Findings Support 'Out of Africa' Theory. Texas Medical Center News. October 15, 1998.
5. ^ Jin, et al. Hypothetical ancestral migration routes to the Far East. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. September 29, 1998.
6. ^ Jin, et al. Y染色体单倍型在中国汉族人群中的多态性. Science in China. 2000 Vol.30 No.6 p.614–620. (Chinese)
7. ^ Jin, et al. Genetic relationship of populations in China. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. September 29, 1998.

This biographical article about a Chinese scientist is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v t e

This article about a geneticist or evolutionary biologist is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v t e