Demetrius I Poliorcetes vs King Wen of Zhou

Demetrius commanded the Macedonian fleet to a decisive victory over Ptolemy I's navy off Salamis, Cyprus. He destroyed or captured much of the Ptolemaic fleet, allowing him to conquer Cyprus and establish a base for his father Antigonus I Monophthalmus.

Demetrius Poliorcetes besieged the city of Rhodes with massive siege engines, including the Helepolis, a 130-foot siege tower. After a year-long siege, he failed to capture the city and was forced to withdraw, but his innovative siege techniques earned him the epithet 'Poliorcetes' (Besieger of Cities).

After a period of chaos in Macedon, Demetrius seized the throne and was proclaimed king. He ruled Macedon for seven years, attempting to restore Antigonid power and launch campaigns to reclaim his father's empire in Asia.

After being defeated by Lysimachus and Pyrrhus, Demetrius fled to Asia Minor but was captured by Seleucus I. He was held in honorable captivity in Apamea, where he died three years later from illness and excessive drinking, ending his turbulent career.

King Wen of Zhou expanded the Zhou state's territory and influence in the Wei River valley. He cultivated alliances with neighboring tribes and prepared the foundation for the eventual overthrow of the Shang dynasty, though he died before achieving it.

King Wen was imprisoned by the last Shang ruler, King Zhou, at Youli. During his captivity, he is traditionally said to have studied the I Ching (Book of Changes) and expanded its hexagrams. He was later released after his followers paid tribute.