Lecture 12: Kingdom of Seleucus I and the Seleucids

Introduction to the Seleucid Dynasty

  • Seleucid Dynasty

    • Started by Seleucus I (circa 358-281 BCE).

  • Historical Narratives

    • Historical narratives concerning Seleucus I and the Seleucid dynasty are noted to be scanty.

  • Inscription Practices of Seleucid Kings

    • Seleucid kings do not specify the regions or peoples over which they reign in their inscriptions.
    • They simply refer to themselves with titles such as "King Seleucus" or "King Antiochus."

  • Nature of Seleucid Kingship

    • Kingship is portrayed as personal, consisting of the king, his friends, and a military cohort.
    • Seleucid kings, along with other Hellenistic kings, are recognized as military leaders.

Terminology and References

  • Term 'Seleucid'

    • The term "Seleucid" is only used in an ancient context by the Greek historian Appian of Alexandria (circa 95-165 CE), who provides a sketch of Seleucus I’s career (as referenced in Austin 57).

  • The Seleucid Era

    • Refers to the dating system employed by the Seleucids throughout their rule from 312 to 64 BCE.
    • Key Dates:
    • 312 BCE: The Seleucid era is initiated with Seleucus I’s return to Babylon after reclaiming the city from Antigonus.
      • This date is aligned with October 312 BCE in the Macedonian calendar.
      • This corresponds to April 311 BCE in the Babylonian calendar.
    • 64 BCE: Marks the end of the Seleucid era when Roman General Pompey establishes Syria as a Roman province.

Kingdom of Seleucus I

  • Early Campaigns (circa 308-305 BCE)

    • From his base in Babylon, Seleucus I embarks on campaigns to conquer eastern territories of Alexander’s empire, earning him the epithet Nicator (meaning “Victor”).
    • Conquests include:
    • Iran and the upper satrapies, including Bactria.

  • Foundation of Seleukeia (circa 305 BCE)

    • Seleucus I establishes Seleukeia on the Tigris River, which serves as an imperial capital located near Babylon.
    • The city is named in honor of himself, as this trend continues with several of his cities.
    • At its height, Seleukeia boasts a population of 600,000 inhabitants.

  • Indo-Greek Relations (circa 305-303 BCE)

    • Seleucus I crosses the Indus River, engages in battles with local rulers, specifically Chandragupta, the Mauryan king (also known as Greek Sandrocottus; the founder of the Mauryan Empire in India).
    • A significant treaty and marriage alliance is formed:
    • Seleucus cedes the Indus River territories to Chandragupta in exchange for 500 war elephants.
      • Strabo (historian) records this in AR 29.
      • This alliance marks the origin of the Seleucid war elephant herd.
    • The Seleucid army notably contains 480 elephants at the Battle of Ipsos (301 BCE).
    • War elephants are also commemorated on Seleucus I’s coinage.

Key Historical Events

  • Battle of Ipsos (301 BCE)
    • Following this battle, the Diadochoi (successors of Alexander the Great) divide the domain of Antigonus I Monophthalmus.
    • Seleucus is allocated Syria, establishing a new western boundary for his kingdom.

Family of Seleucus I

  • Marriage and Alliances (324 BCE)

    • In Susa, Alexander the Great orchestrates a mass marriage ceremony:
    • Macedonian Companions marry various Iranian princesses.
    • Alexander marries Persian princesses Stateira and Parysatis while also married to Rhoxanē (Sogdian princess).
    • Seleucus marries Apama, an Iranian princess.
    • Following Alexander’s death, many Macedonian rulers (including Ptolemy) quickly disown their Iranian wives, while Seleucus remains loyal to his marriage.

  • Children

    • Seleucus I and Apama have a son named Antiochus I, who succeeds Seleucus.

  • Foundations of Cities

    • Seleucus establishes cities named after both his wife and son:
    • Apameia and Antiocheia (Antioch).

  • Foundation of Antiocheia (circa 300 BCE)

    • Antiocheia (Antioch) is founded at the Orontes River in Syria, later becoming the capital for Antiochus I.

  • Foundation of Apameia (circa 300 BCE)

    • Apameia, located at the Orontes River, marks another significant urban foundation.

New Historical Sources

  • Artifact Discovery (2011 CE)

    • Looters discover a floor mosaic from the site of Apameia and sell it to an unknown buyer; the mosaic survives only through photographs.

  • Description of the Mosaic

    • The mosaic depicts the foundation scene of the city of Apameia (dated circa 350 CE during the Roman period).
    • There is speculation that it may have originated from a Hellenistic source.

  • Historical Context Prior to Mosaic Discovery

    • Late 4th century BCE: a Macedonian military colony named Pella is founded at the site, potentially by Alexander III or Antigonus I.
    • Circa 300 BCE: Seleucus I refounds this site as a city named Apameia.

  • Insights from the Mosaic by Scholar Marek Olszewski

    • The mosaic suggests that circa 320 BCE, following the Settlement of Triparadeisus, Antipater (the new regent who died in 319) and his son Cassander may have established Pella on the site.
    • The eventual renaming to Apameia by Seleucus I occurs around 300 BCE.

  • Key Figures Labeled in the Mosaic

    • The mosaic includes names such as Apama, Seleucus, Antiochus, Antipater, Cassander, and potentially Archipos (the ruler of Pella/Apameia?).

  • Historical Representation and Significance of the Mosaic

    • The mosaic combines different eras of the city’s history, representing both Antipater/Cassander and Seleucus/Apama/Antiochus.
    • It illustrates Apama depicted with gold/silver coins, symbolizing her wealth and property.
    • This representation indicates a status similar to Achaemenid Persian queens, who were often wealthy and landowners.
    • The mosaic is one of the few ancient visual representations of Apama, marking a significant historical moment on a Greek/Roman mosaic, comparable to the Alexander Mosaic.