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Persia /
Seleucid Dynasty
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Rulers (Kings)
Years BCE
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| Seleucus 1 Nicator |
312- 281 |
| Antiochus 1 Soter |
281- 261 |
| Antiochus 2 Theos |
261- 246 |
| Seleucus 2 Callinicus |
246- 225 |
| Seleucus 3 Ceraunus |
225- 223 |
| Antiochus 3 the Great |
223- 187 |
| Seleucus 4 Philopator |
187- 175 |
| Antiochus 4 Epiphanes |
175- 164 |
| Antiochus 5 Eupator |
164-162 |
| Demetrius 1 Soter |
161-150 |
| Alexander 1 Balas |
150-145 |
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Demetrius 2 Nicator |
145-1381) |
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Antiochus 6 Dionysus |
145-140? |
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Diodotus Tryphon |
140?-138 |
| Antiochus 7 Sidetes |
138-129 |
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Demetrius 2 Nicator |
129-1262) |
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Alexander 2 Zabinas |
129-123 |
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Cleopatra Thea |
126-123 |
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Seleucus 5 Philometor |
126-125 |
| Antiochus 8 Grypus |
125-96 |
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Antiochus 9 Cyzicenus |
114-96 |
| Seleucus 6 Epiphanes |
96-95 |
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Antiochus 10 Eusebes |
95-92 |
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Demetrius 3 Eucaerus |
95-87 |
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Antiochus 11 Epiphanes |
95-92 |
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Philip 1 Philadelphus |
95-83 |
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Antiochus 12 Dionysus |
87-84 |
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Seleucus 7 Kybiosaktes |
ca.70-ca.60 |
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Antiochus 13 Asiaticus |
69-64 |
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Philip 2 Philoromaeus |
65-63 |
1) First reign
2) Second reign
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Dynasty of ancient Middle East. The dynasty lasted 312-64 BCE, but for about its last 100 years, it was only one of many medium-sized states, during its last period, only a small kingdom ruling the lands surrounding Antakya (corresponding to parts of modern Turkey and Syria).
The Seleucids lost their Persian lands in the middle of the 2nd century BCE. The process of losing Persia began in the middle of the 3rd century BCE, with the rise of the Parthian Dynasty. The struggle between the two dynasties would last about 80 years before the Parthians were the sole rulers of Persia.
The foundations of the Seleucid Dynasty were lain by Alexander the Great in the 4th century with his conquests of Persia and the surrounding lands. The actual founder of the dynasty was Seleucus 1 Nicator, 11 years after Alexander's death.
At its largest, around 300 BCE, the empire of the Seleucid Empire stretched from Thrace in Europe to the border of India; this including Anatolia and Greek cities. The empire reached its height with Antiochus 3 the Great in the decades before and after 200 BCE. Although its size was drastically reduced compared to a century before, it was more united and more stable. Antiochus launched major administrative reforms, uniting military and political power into one office. Prior to this, military and political leaders often had conflicting interests in many regions. New administrative centres were established at Sardis in the west and Seleucia on the Tigris river.
The era of the Seleucids involved the promotion of Hellenistic culture, sometimes mixing with local cultures, sometimes replacing these. The elite of the state was Greek-speaking Macedonians, involving little influx of pre-Seleucid regional elites.
Both the foreign elite and their culture were met with regional resistance. One example is with Antiochus 4's attempt to raise a statue of Zeus in the Jewish Temple of Jerusalem, thereby kick starting the 2nd century BCE Maccabean revolt.
History
321 BCE: Seleucus becomes satrap of Babylonia.
312: Seleucus defeats Demetrius at Gaza, then marches on to take control of Babylonia. A long struggle to establish control over Persia begins.
305: Having secured his position in Persia, Seleucus sends troops to neighbouring lands in the east as well as the west, attacking the lands of the Indus River, Syria and Anatolia.
301: Defeats Antigonus at Ipsus.
281: Annexes Chersonesus in Thrace in Europe.
— Seleucus is assassinated by Ptolmey Ceraunus. His son, Antiochus 1 Soter, becomes new king.
200: Palestine is conquered by Antiochus 3.
191/0: The Seleucids are defeated by the Romans, in 191 at Thermopylae, in 190 at Magnesia.
188: With the Treaty of Apamea, peace is acheived with the Romans, at unfavorable terms: All territory in Europe, and the north of Anatolia are lost.
165: Triggered by Antiochus 4's attempt to raise a statue of Zeus in the Temple of Jerusalem, the Maccabean revolt begins; the revolt would some 25 years give birth to an independent state of Judea.
141: All land east of the Euphrates river is lost; from this time on, the Seleucids.
64: The remainder of the Seleucid state is conqured by the Romans.
© Copyright 1996-2009 LookLex Ltd. All rights reserved
By: Tore Kjeilen
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