Tetradrachm (Silver, 26 mm, 17.08 g, 8 h)
Susa, circa 296/5-281.
Laureate head of Zeus to right. Rev. BAΣIΛEΩΣ / ΣEΛEΥKOΥ Athena, brandishing spear overhead in her right hand and holding shield in her left, standing right in quadriga of elephants moving to right; above to right, spearhead; before elephants, monogram of MΩ. SC 177.2.
The Seleukid Kingdom was founded by Seleukos I Nikator and continued by his son Antiochos I Soter. It was the largest of the post-Alexander kingdoms, though over time they lost more and more territory to rebellious client kingdoms and invasions, until they were eventually defeated entirely and swallowed by Rome.
Seleukeia on the Tigris, 281-261 BC
Diademed head to right / Apollo Delphios seated to left on omphalos, testing arrow and resting left hand on grounded bow; ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ to right, ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ to left, monogram to outer left and right.
SC 379.5a; HGC 9, 128g. 16.80g, 29mm, 3h.
Seleukos I Nikator gains control of Babylon, founding the Seleukid Empire and beginning Babylon’s decline as a center of power as Seleukos establishes Seleukeia on the Tigris.
Following the victory in the Battle of Ipsos, Cilicia comes under Seleukid control with Seleukos I Nikator. This included Aigai.Tarsos, Soloi, Issos, and Mallos.
May
Antioch founded by Seleukos I Nikator of the Seleukid dynasty.
Birth of Antiochos II Theos to Stratonike and Antiochos I Soter.
Lysimachos defeated at the Battle of Coropedion. Adramytteion, Ainos, and Abydos come under control of the Seleukid Empire. Ephesos returns to its original name.
Seleukos I Nikator is murdered by Ptolemy Keraunos while praying. Antiochos I Soter becomes king of the Seleukid Empire.
The Gauls invade the Seleukid Empire under Antiochos I Soter.
Arados removes its royalty and becomes a free city in the Seleukid Empire.
258 BCE
Antiochos II Theos of the Seleukid Empire fights the Second Syrian War against Ptolemy II Philadelphos of Egypt. Arados takes the side of Antiochos.
Antiochos II signs an agreement with Antigonos II against Ptolemy II and the Second Syrian War begins.
The Second Syrian War ends. Ptolemy II cedes land to Antiiochos II and Antigonos II remains in mastery of Greece.
Diodotos I, the Seleukid satrap of Baktria, declares independence from the Seleukid Empire, establishing the Greco-Baktrian Kingdom.
Andragoras declares his independence from the Seleukid King Seleukos II.
Antioch becomes the capital of the Seleukid Empire.
Antiochos III of the Seleukid Empire campaigns in Baktria but eventually agrees to a peace with Euthydemos I, the Greco-Baktrian king, recognizing the kingdom’s independence.
Antiochos III, desiring to meet Rome in battle, is detained by the cities of Alexandria Troas, Smyrna, and Lampsakos, which refused entreaties.
Chalkis used as a base by Antiochos III for invading Greece.
Antiochos III takes Atrax, by then a Roman stronghold.
During the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleukids, tensions increase between the Jewish population and Idumeans, who are caught between the Seleukids and the Hasmoneans.