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(Created page with "{{short description|Macedonian general, Diadochus, and founder of the Seleucid Empire}} {{use dmy dates|date=October 2023}} {{Infobox royalty | name = Seleucus I Nicator | title = Lord of Asia {{br}} King of Kings of Persia {{br}} Nicator | image = Seleucos Nicator Louvre Ma3597 n3.jpg | image_size = | alt = Male bust | caption = Portrait of Seleucus I Nicator, Roman artwork of the Imperial era made...") Tags: Mobile edit Mobile web edit |
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| birth_place = [[Europus (Macedonia)|Europus]], [[Macedonia (ancient kingdom)|Macedon]]<br />(modern-day [[Evropos]], [[Greece]]) | | birth_place = [[Europus (Macedonia)|Europus]], [[Macedonia (ancient kingdom)|Macedon]]<br />(modern-day [[Evropos]], [[Greece]]) | ||
| death_date = September 281 BC (aged c. 77) | | death_date = September 281 BC (aged c. 77) | ||
| death_place = [[Lysimachia (Thrace)|Lysimachia]], [[Thrace]]<br />(modern-day [[Kavakköy]], [[Çanakkale Province|Çanakkale]], [[Turkey]])<ref name=EB1911/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.livius.org/articles/person/seleucus-i-nicator/|title=Seleucus I Nicator|work=Livius}}</ref> | | death_place = [[Lysimachia (Thrace)|Lysimachia]], [[Thrace]]<br />(modern-day [[Kavakköy]], [[Çanakkale Province|Çanakkale]], [[Turkey]])<ref name=EB1911/><ref name="Seleucus I Nicator">{{cite web|url=https://www.livius.org/articles/person/seleucus-i-nicator/|title=Seleucus I Nicator|work=Livius}}</ref> | ||
| burial_place = | | burial_place = | ||
| spouse = {{ubl|[[Apama]]|[[Stratonice of Syria|Stratonice]]}} | | spouse = {{ubl|[[Apama]]|[[Stratonice of Syria|Stratonice]]}} | ||
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While serving under Alexander, Seleucus was commander of the ''[[Hypaspists|Hypaspistai]],'' or Silver-Shields, an elite Macedonian infantry unit. After the death of Alexander in June 323 BC, Seleucus initially supported [[Perdiccas]], the regent of Alexander's empire, and was appointed [[Companion cavalry|Commander of the Companions]] and [[chiliarch]] at the [[Partition of Babylon]] in 323 BC. However, after the outbreak of the [[Wars of the Diadochi]] in 322, Perdiccas' military failures against [[Ptolemy I Soter|Ptolemy]] in [[Egypt]] led to the mutiny of his troops in [[Pelusium]]. Perdiccas was betrayed and assassinated in a conspiracy by Seleucus, [[Peithon]] and [[Antigenes (general)|Antigenes]] in Pelusium sometime in either 321 or 320 BC. At the [[Partition of Triparadisus]] in 321 BC, Seleucus was appointed [[Babylon|Satrap of Babylon]] under the new regent [[Antipater]]. But almost immediately, the wars between the Diadochi resumed and one of the most powerful of the Diadochi, [[Antigonus I Monophthalmus|Antigonus]], forced Seleucus to flee [[Babylon]]. Seleucus was only able to return to Babylon in 312 BC with the support of Ptolemy. From 312 BC, Seleucus ruthlessly expanded his dominions and eventually conquered the [[Persia]]n and [[Media (region)|Median]] lands. Seleucus ruled not only [[Babylonia]], but the entire eastern part of [[Macedonia (ancient kingdom)#Empire|Alexander's empire]]. | While serving under Alexander, Seleucus was commander of the ''[[Hypaspists|Hypaspistai]],'' or Silver-Shields, an elite Macedonian infantry unit. After the death of Alexander in June 323 BC, Seleucus initially supported [[Perdiccas]], the regent of Alexander's empire, and was appointed [[Companion cavalry|Commander of the Companions]] and [[chiliarch]] at the [[Partition of Babylon]] in 323 BC. However, after the outbreak of the [[Wars of the Diadochi]] in 322, Perdiccas' military failures against [[Ptolemy I Soter|Ptolemy]] in [[Egypt]] led to the mutiny of his troops in [[Pelusium]]. Perdiccas was betrayed and assassinated in a conspiracy by Seleucus, [[Peithon]] and [[Antigenes (general)|Antigenes]] in Pelusium sometime in either 321 or 320 BC. At the [[Partition of Triparadisus]] in 321 BC, Seleucus was appointed [[Babylon|Satrap of Babylon]] under the new regent [[Antipater]]. But almost immediately, the wars between the Diadochi resumed and one of the most powerful of the Diadochi, [[Antigonus I Monophthalmus|Antigonus]], forced Seleucus to flee [[Babylon]]. Seleucus was only able to return to Babylon in 312 BC with the support of Ptolemy. From 312 BC, Seleucus ruthlessly expanded his dominions and eventually conquered the [[Persia]]n and [[Media (region)|Median]] lands. Seleucus ruled not only [[Babylonia]], but the entire eastern part of [[Macedonia (ancient kingdom)#Empire|Alexander's empire]]. | ||
Seleucus further made claim to the former satrapies in [[Gandhara]] and in eastern India. However these ambitions were contested by [[Chandragupta Maurya]], resulting in the [[Seleucid–Mauryan war|Seleucid–Mauryan War]] (305–303 BC). The conflict was ultimately resolved by a treaty resulting in the [[Maurya Empire]] annexing the eastern satrapies. Additionally, a marriage alliance was formed, with Chandragupta marrying a daughter of Seleucus, according to Strabo and Appian.<ref name=":1">[[Chandragupta Maurya#CITEREFAppian|Appian]], p. 55.</ref> Furthermore, the Seleucid Empire received a considerable military force of 500 [[war elephant | Seleucus further made claim to the former satrapies in [[Gandhara]] and in eastern India. However these ambitions were contested by [[Chandragupta Maurya]], resulting in the [[Seleucid–Mauryan war|Seleucid–Mauryan War]] (305–303 BC). The conflict was ultimately resolved by a treaty resulting in the [[Maurya Empire]] annexing the eastern satrapies. Additionally, a marriage alliance was formed, with Chandragupta marrying a daughter of Seleucus, according to Strabo and Appian.<ref name=":1">[[Chandragupta Maurya#CITEREFAppian|Appian]], p. 55.</ref> Furthermore, the Seleucid Empire received a considerable military force of 500 [[war elephant]]s with [[mahout]]s, which would play a decisive role against Antigonus at the [[Battle of Ipsus]] in 301 BC. In 281 BC, he also defeated [[Lysimachus]] at the [[Battle of Corupedium]], adding Asia Minor to his empire. | ||
Seleucus' victories against Antigonus and Lysimachus left the Seleucid dynasty virtually unopposed amongst the Diadochi. However, Seleucus also hoped to take control of Lysimachus' European territories, primarily Thrace and Macedon itself. But upon arriving in Thrace in 281 BC, Seleucus was assassinated by [[Ptolemy Ceraunus]],<ref name="EB1911" /> who had taken refuge at the Seleucid court with his sister [[Lysandra]]. The assassination of Seleucus destroyed Seleucid prospects in Thrace and Macedon, and paved the way for Ptolemy Ceraunus to absorb much of Lysimachus' former power in Macedon. Seleucus was succeeded by his son [[Antiochus I]] as ruler of the Seleucid Empire. | Seleucus' victories against Antigonus and Lysimachus left the Seleucid dynasty virtually unopposed amongst the Diadochi. However, Seleucus also hoped to take control of Lysimachus' European territories, primarily Thrace and Macedon itself. But upon arriving in Thrace in 281 BC, Seleucus was assassinated by [[Ptolemy Ceraunus]],<ref name="EB1911" /> who had taken refuge at the Seleucid court with his sister [[Lysandra]]. The assassination of Seleucus destroyed Seleucid prospects in Thrace and Macedon, and paved the way for Ptolemy Ceraunus to absorb much of Lysimachus' former power in Macedon. Seleucus was succeeded by his son [[Antiochus I]] as ruler of the Seleucid Empire. | ||
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==Youth and family== | ==Youth and family== | ||
Seleucus was the son of [[Antiochus (father of Seleucus I Nicator)|Antiochus]]. Historian [[Junianus Justinus]] claims that Antiochus was one of [[Philip II of Macedon]]'s generals, but no such general is mentioned in any other sources, and nothing is known of his supposed career under Philip. It is possible that Antiochus was a member of an [[ | Seleucus was the son of [[Antiochus (father of Seleucus I Nicator)|Antiochus]]. Historian [[Junianus Justinus]] claims that Antiochus was one of [[Philip II of Macedon]]'s generals, but no such general is mentioned in any other sources, and nothing is known of his supposed career under Philip. It is possible that Antiochus was a member of an [[upper Macedonia]]n noble family. Seleucus' mother was supposedly called [[Laodice of Macedonia|Laodice]], but nothing else is known of her. Later, Seleucus named a number of cities after his parents.<ref name="G2">Grainger 1990, p. 2</ref> Seleucus was born in [[Europus (Macedonia)|Europus]], located in the northern part of [[Macedonia (ancient kingdom)|Macedonia]]. Just a year before his birth (if the year 358 BC is accepted as the most likely date), the [[Paeonians]] invaded the region. Philip defeated the invaders and only a few years later utterly subdued them under Macedonian rule.<ref name="G4">Grainger 1990, pp. 4–5</ref> Seleucus' year of birth is unclear. Justin claims he was 77 years old during the [[battle of Corupedium]], which would place his year of birth at 358 BC. [[Appian]] tells us Seleucus was 73 years old during the battle, which means 354 BC would be the year of birth. [[Eusebius of Caesarea]], however, mentions the age of 75, and thus the year 356 BC, making Seleucus the same age as [[Alexander the Great]]. This is most likely propaganda on Seleucus' part to make him seem comparable to Alexander.<ref name="G1">Grainger 1990, p. 1</ref> | ||
As a teenager, Seleucus was chosen to serve as the king's [[Page (occupation)|page]] (''pais''). It was customary for all male offspring of noble families to first serve in this position and later as officers in the king's army.<ref name="G2">Grainger 1990, p. 2</ref> | As a teenager, Seleucus was chosen to serve as the king's [[Page (occupation)|page]] (''pais''). It was customary for all male offspring of noble families to first serve in this position and later as officers in the king's army.<ref name="G2">Grainger 1990, p. 2</ref> | ||
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[[File:Head of a Greco-Bactrian ruler, Temple of the Oxus, Takht-i-Sangin, 3rd-2nd century BCE.jpg|thumb|Portrait of Seleucus I or possibly a [[Greco-Bactrian]] ruler, with royal diadem. Temple of the Oxus, [[Takht-i Sangin]], 3rd-2nd century BC, [[Tajikistan]].<ref name="OB27">{{cite journal |last1=Bopearachchi |first1=Osmund |title=A Faience Head of a Graeco-Bactrian King from Ai Khanum |journal=Bulletin of the Asia Institute |date=1998 |volume=12 |page=27 |jstor=24049090 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/24049090 |issn=0890-4464}}</ref>]] | [[File:Head of a Greco-Bactrian ruler, Temple of the Oxus, Takht-i-Sangin, 3rd-2nd century BCE.jpg|thumb|Portrait of Seleucus I or possibly a [[Greco-Bactrian]] ruler, with royal diadem. Temple of the Oxus, [[Takht-i Sangin]], 3rd-2nd century BC, [[Tajikistan]].<ref name="OB27">{{cite journal |last1=Bopearachchi |first1=Osmund |title=A Faience Head of a Graeco-Bactrian King from Ai Khanum |journal=Bulletin of the Asia Institute |date=1998 |volume=12 |page=27 |jstor=24049090 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/24049090 |issn=0890-4464}}</ref>]] | ||
<blockquote> | <blockquote> | ||
The geographical position of the tribes is as follows: along the Indus are the Paropamisadae, above whom lies the Paropamisus mountain: then, towards the south, the Arachoti: then next, towards the south, the Gedroseni, with the other tribes that occupy the seaboard; and the Indus lies, latitudinally, alongside all these places; and of these places, in part, some that lie along the Indus are held by Indians, although they formerly belonged to the Persians. Alexander [III 'the Great' of Macedon] took these away from the Arians and established settlements of his own, but | The geographical position of the tribes is as follows: along the Indus are the Paropamisadae, above whom lies the Paropamisus mountain: then, towards the south, the Arachoti: then next, towards the south, the Gedroseni, with the other tribes that occupy the seaboard; and the Indus lies, latitudinally, alongside all these places; and of these places, in part, some that lie along the Indus are held by Indians, although they formerly belonged to the Persians. Alexander [III 'the Great' of Macedon] took these away from the Arians and established settlements of his own, but Seleucus Nicator gave them to [[Sandrocottus]] [Chandragupta], upon terms of intermarriage and of receiving in exchange five hundred elephants. — Strabo 15.2.9<ref>[[Strabo]], ''Geography'', [https://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Strabo/15B*.html#2.9 xv.2.9]</ref> | ||
</blockquote> | </blockquote> | ||
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==Death and legacy== | ==Death and legacy== | ||
[[File:Seleucus I portrait.jpg|thumb|right|330px|Tetradrachm of [[Antiochus I]]. '''Obv''': Seleucus I, with bull's horns. '''Rev''': [[Apollo]], with a bow, seated on the [[Omphalos of Delphi|omphalus]]]] | [[File:Seleucus I portrait.jpg|thumb|right|330px|Tetradrachm of [[Antiochus I]]. '''Obv''': Seleucus I, with bull's horns. '''Rev''': [[Apollo]], with a bow, seated on the [[Omphalos of Delphi|omphalus]]]] | ||
Seleucus now held the whole of Alexander's conquests except Egypt and moved to take possession of Macedonia and Thrace. He intended to leave Asia to Antiochus and content himself for the remainder of his days with the Macedonian kingdom in its old limits. He had, however, hardly crossed into the [[Thracian Chersonese]] when he was assassinated by [[Ptolemy Keraunos]] near [[Lysimachia (Thrace)|Lysimachia]] in September (281 BC).<ref name=EB1911/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.livius.org/articles/person/seleucus-i-nicator/|title=Seleucus I Nicator|work=Livius}}</ref> | Seleucus now held the whole of Alexander's conquests except Egypt and moved to take possession of Macedonia and Thrace. He intended to leave Asia to Antiochus and content himself for the remainder of his days with the Macedonian kingdom in its old limits. He had, however, hardly crossed into the [[Thracian Chersonese]] when he was assassinated by [[Ptolemy Keraunos]] near [[Lysimachia (Thrace)|Lysimachia]] in September (281 BC).<ref name=EB1911/><ref name="Seleucus I Nicator">{{cite web|url=https://www.livius.org/articles/person/seleucus-i-nicator/|title=Seleucus I Nicator|work=Livius}}</ref> | ||
It appears certain that after taking Macedonia and Thracia, Seleucus would have tried to conquer Greece. He had already prepared this campaign using the numerous gifts presented to him. He was also nominated an honorary citizen of [[Athens]].<ref name="Grainger97-57">Grainger 1997, p. 57</ref> | It appears certain that after taking Macedonia and Thracia, Seleucus would have tried to conquer Greece. He had already prepared this campaign using the numerous gifts presented to him. He was also nominated an honorary citizen of [[Athens]].<ref name="Grainger97-57">Grainger 1997, p. 57</ref> | ||