The Seleucid Empire was a Hellenistic state in western Asia that existed from 312 BC to 63 BC. It was founded by Seleucus I Nicator (a Greek title meaning victory) following the division of the Macedonian Empire established by Alexander the Great. At its height, the empire spanned Anatolia, Persia, the Levant, Mesopotamia tan and parts of Turkmenistan, with its capital at Seleucia from 305 BC to 240 BC and Antioch (at Orontes in Northern Syria) from 240 BC to 63 BC.
Alexander, who died young in 323 BC, left an expansive empire without an heir. The territories were divided amongst his generals, who became Satraps. Seleucus, who had been the senior most officer in the Army established himself in 312 BC, and the year became the foundation year of the Seleucid empire.
Seleucid-Mauryan War (305 - 303 BC). Chandragupta Maurya in 321 BC, annexed the Nanda empire and founded the Mauryan empire, relocating the capital to Pataliputra. In 317 BC, he conquered the remaining Greek Satraps and redirected his attention to the Indus. Expecting a confrontation, Seleucus gathered his army and marched towards the Indus.
According to Appian, the Greek historian born in 95AD, '' He (Seleucus) crossed the Indus and waged war with Sandrocottus (Maurya), king of the Indians, who dwelt on the banks of that stream, until they came to an understanding with each other and contracted a marriage relationship. Chandragupta married Seleucus's daughter, a Macedonian princess. Chandragupta sent 500 war elephants and Seleucus sent an ambassador, Megathenes to Pataliputra (modern day Patna), and later Deimakos to his son Bindusara.''
Chandragupta and his wife: a conjectural interpretation of ''marriage agreement between Seleucids and Chandragupta Maurya'', related by Greek historian Appian.
Megasthenes wrote detailed descriptions of India and Chandragupta's reign, which have been preserved through Diodorus Siculus.
Central Asian territories started to ascertain their independence around 261-246 BC. These included Bactria, Sogdiana, Cappadocia and Parthia. Further, the economy started to show the first signs of weakness and soon Bactria, Parthia and Galatia declared independence.
A revival of the empire began in 223 BC and lasted till 191 BC under Antiochus III, who would prove himself to be the greatest ruler since Seleucus.
He even emulated Seleucus with an expedition into India where he met King Sophagasenus (Sanskrit :Subhagasena). According to Greek historian Polybius, (200-180 BC), ''He (Antiochus) crossed the Caucasus Indicus (Hindu-Kush) and descended into India, renewed his friendship with Sophagasenus the king of the Indians, received more elephants, till he had 150 together, and having once more provisioned his troops, set out with his army. Having traversed Arachosia and crossed river Enymanthus, he came through Drangene to Carmania, where he put his men into winter quarters there''. Around 200 BC, he at least appeared to have restored the Seleucid Kingdom to glory.
In the battle against the Romans, he suffered defeat in 190 BC, and his empire lost territory.
The Seleucid dynastic wars from 150 BC further caused decay of the empire's territorial possessions, till its collapse from 100-63 BC.
By 100 BC, the once formidable empire encompassed little more than Antioch and some Syrian cities.
By 63 BC, the Romans had made Syria as a Roman province.
Antiochos IX, 114-95 BC, Drachm, bronze, weight 4.9 g
Obverse: Laureate head of Herakles right
Reverse: Athena Nikephoros standing left, holding Nike and resting left hand on shield at her side, a spear behind her
Wonderful,enjoyed the pearls from the past
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