Seleucid dynasty facts for kids

The Seleucid dynasty was a powerful family of Greek rulers. They were from Macedonia. This family ruled a huge empire called the Seleucid Empire. It was located in West Asia during a time known as the Hellenistic period.

The empire was started by Seleucus I Nicator. He was a general who served Alexander the Great. After Alexander died, his vast empire was divided among his generals. These generals were called the Diadochi (meaning "Successors"). The Seleucid Empire became a major center for Hellenistic culture. This means it spread Greek ideas and ways of life. Many people from Greece moved there. They became important leaders under the Seleucid kings.

After Seleucus I, his family kept the empire strong. It became a leading Greek power in West Asia. The empire was at its biggest under King Antiochus III. But later, the empire faced many problems. It lost land and had many civil wars between family members. Eventually, the Seleucids ruled only a small part of Syria. The Roman Empire took over their land in 64 BC. This was done by Pompey the Great.

History of the Seleucid Empire

How the Empire Began

Seleucus was born around 358 BC. He was a brave officer in Alexander the Great's army. He led a special group of soldiers called the "Shield-bearers."

When Alexander died in 323 BC, his empire was split up. Seleucus became the governor, or satrap, of Babylon in 321 BC. Another powerful general, Antigonus, forced Seleucus to leave Babylon. But Seleucus got help from Ptolemy, the governor of Egypt. Seleucus returned to Babylon in 312 BC. This year is often seen as the start of the Seleucid Empire.

Seleucus then conquered more lands. These included Persia and Media. He even made a peace deal with the Indian King Chandragupta Maurya. Seleucus won important battles against other generals. He defeated Antigonus in the Battle of Ipsus in 301 BC. He also defeated Lysimachus in 281 BC. Sadly, Seleucus was killed later that year. His oldest son, Antiochus I, became the next ruler in 281 BC.

Seleucid Rulers

Seleucid Kings

Portrait	King	Time as King (BC)	Wife(s)	Notes
	Seleucus I Nicator	Satrap 320–315, 312–305 BC King 305–281 BC	Apama	Started the Seleucid Empire.
	Antiochus I Soter	co-ruler from 291, ruled 281–261 BC	Stratonice of Syria	Ruled with his father for 10 years.
	Antiochus II Theos	261–246 BC	Laodice I Berenice	Berenice was an Egyptian princess. Laodice I had her and her son killed.
	Seleucus II Callinicus	246–225 BC	Laodice II
	Seleucus III Ceraunus (or Soter)	225–223 BC		Was killed by members of his own army.
	Antiochus III the Great	223–187 BC	Laodice III Euboea of Chalcis	Brother of Seleucus III. The empire reached its peak under him.
	Seleucus IV Philopator	187–175 BC	Laodice IV	He married his sister.
	Antiochus (son of Seleucus IV)	175–170 BC		Ruled with Antiochus IV.
	Antiochus IV Epiphanes	175–163 BC	Laodice IV	He also married his sister.
	Antiochus V Eupator	163–161 BC
	Demetrius I Soter	161–150 BC	Apama ? Laodice V?	Son of Seleucus IV.
	Alexander I Balas	150–145 BC	Cleopatra Thea	Claimed to be son of Antiochus IV.
	Demetrius II Nicator	first reign, 145–138 BC	Cleopatra Thea	Son of Demetrius I.
	Antiochus VI Dionysus (or Epiphanes)	145–140 BC?		Son of Alexander Balas.
	Diodotus Tryphon	140–138 BC		A general who took the throne after killing Antiochus VI.
	Antiochus VII Sidetes (or Euergetes)	138–129 BC	Cleopatra Thea	Son of Demetrius I.
	Demetrius II Nicator	second reign, 129–126 BC	Cleopatra Thea	Killed because his wife Cleopatra Thea wanted him dead.
	Alexander II Zabinas	129–123 BC		A rival king.
	Cleopatra Thea	126–121 BC		A powerful queen who ruled alone for a time.
	Seleucus V Philometor	126/125 BC		Killed by his mother, Cleopatra Thea.
	Antiochus VIII Grypus	125–96 BC	Tryphaena of Egypt Cleopatra Selene I of Egypt
	Antiochus IX Cyzicenus	114–96 BC	Cleopatra IV of Egypt Cleopatra Selene I of Egypt
	Seleucus VI Epiphanes Nicator	96–95 BC
	Antiochus X Eusebes Philopator	95–92 BC or 83 BC	Cleopatra Selene I
	Demetrius III Eucaerus (or Philopator)	95–87 BC
	Antiochus XI Epiphanes Philadelphus	95–92 BC
	Philip I Philadelphus	95–84/83 BC
	Antiochus XII Dionysus	87–84 BC
	Cleopatra Selene or Seleucus VII	83–69 BC
	Antiochus XIII Asiaticus	69–64 BC
	Philip II Philoromaeus	65–63 BC		The last Seleucid king.

See also

• List of kings of Persia
• List of Syrian monarchs