LASTHENES . An officer of high rank, ‘kinsman’ ( 1Ma 11:31 ) and ‘father’ ( 1Ma 11:32 ) of Demetrius ii. He raised a body of Cretan mercenaries, and enabled Demetrius to land in Cilicia, and wrest the throne of Syria from Alexander Balas (Jos. [Note: Josephus.] Ant . XIII. iv. 3; cf. 1Ma 10:67 ). When Demetrius was endeavouring to make terms with Jonathan the Maccabæan, he wrote to Lasthenes in favour of the Jews, and forwarded a copy of his letter to the Jewish prince ( 1Ma 11:29-37 ).