The son of Seleucus IV, Demetrius I found himself in an extremely unenviable position quite early in life. As part of his father’s defeat at the hands of Rome, and enforced by the Treaty of Apamaea of 188 BC, he was sent to Rome as a political hostage. Extremely young when sent to Rome, Demetrius would spend the formative years of his life in captivity until his escape at 25 years old in 162 BC. It is therefore not too surprising that Demetrius would fall victim to what we now refer to as Stockholm Syndrome. So extensive was his indoctrination, that as Polybius asserts Demetrius considered Roman senators to be his fathers and their children as his siblings! He even went so far as to present a golden wreath to Rome. However, the Senates’ support of Demetrius’ cousin, 9-year-old Antiochus V Eupator, for the Seleucid throne prompted his escape and return to Syria.