 Utilising the discontent against the ruling regime Diodotus gathered a large army at his headquarters in Chalcis ad Belum.Eventually, Demetrius marched against them but he was defeated in battle, after which Diodotus gained control of Apamea and Antioch.Numismatic evidence indicates that Apamea was taken in early 144 and Antioch in late 144 or early 143.