Seleucid dynasty

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The Seleucid dynasty or the Seleucidae (from Greek: Σελευκίδαι, Seleukídai) was a Greek Macedonian royal family, founded by Seleucus I Nicator, which ruled the Seleucid Empire centered in the Near East and regions of the Asian part of the earlier Achaemenid Persian Empire during the Hellenistic period.

Seleucid dynasty
‘The Seleucid Prince’ found in Pushkin Museum, Palazzo Massimo alle Terme
Country	Syria, Persia
Founded	305 BC
Founder	Seleucus I
Final ruler	Filippus II
Titles	Lord of Asia Basileus of Persia Basileus of Syria King of Kings
Dissolution	63 BC
Cadet branches	Diodotid dynasty (Bactria)

Background

Seleucus (ca. 358 – 281 BC) served as an officer of Alexander the Great, commanding the élite infantry corps in the Macedonian army: the "Shield-bearers" (Hypaspistai), later known as the "Silvershields" (Ἀργυράσπιδες / Argyraspides). After the death of Alexander in 323 BC, the Partition of Triparadisus assigned Seleucus as satrap of Babylon in 321 BC. Antigonus, the satrap of much of Asia Minor, forced Seleucus to flee from Babylon, but, supported by Ptolemy, the Satrap of Egypt, Seleucus returned in 312 BC. Seleucus' later conquests included Persia and Media. He formed an alliance with the Indian King Chandragupta Maurya (reigned 324-297 BC). Seleucus defeated Antigonus in the Battle of Ipsus in 301 BC and Lysimachus (King of Thrace, Macedon and Asia Minor) in the battle of Corupedium (near Sardis) in 281 BC. Ptolemy Ceraunus assassinated Seleucus later in the same year. Seleucus' eldest son Antiochus I succeeded him as ruler of the Seleucid territories.

Seleucid rulers

**Seleucid Rulers**
Portrait	King	Reign (BC)	Consort(s)	Comments
	Seleucus I Nicator	Satrap 320–315, 312–305 BC King 305–281 BC	Apama
	Antiochus I Soter	co-ruler from 291, ruled 281–261 BC	Stratonice of Syria	Co-ruler with his father for 10 years
	Antiochus II Theos	261–246 BC	Laodice I Berenice	Berenice was a daughter of Ptolemy II of Egypt. Laodice I had her and her son murdered.
	Seleucus II Callinicus	246–225 BC	Laodice II
	Seleucus III Ceraunus (or Soter)	225–223 BC		Seleucus III was assassinated by members of his army.
	Antiochus III the Great	223–187 BC	Laodice III Euboea of Chalcis	Antiochus III was a brother of Seleucus III
	Seleucus IV Philopator	187–175 BC	Laodice IV	This was a brother-sister marriage.
	Antiochus IV Epiphanes	175–163 BC	Laodice IV	This was a brother-sister marriage.
File:Antiochus V Eupator, coin, front side.jpg	Antiochus V Eupator	163–161 BC
	Demetrius I Soter	161–150 BC	Apama ? Laodice V?	Son of Seleucus IV Philopator and Laodice IV
	Alexander I Balas	150–145 BC	Cleopatra Thea	Son of Antiochus IV and Laodice 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 and Cleopatra Thea
	Diodotus Tryphon	140–138 BC		General who was a regent for Antiochus VI Dionysus. Took the throne after murdering his charge.
	Antiochus VII Sidetes (or Euergetes)	138–129 BC	Cleopatra Thea	Son of Demetrius I
	Demetrius II Nicator	second reign, 129–126 BC	Cleopatra Thea	Demetrius was murdered at the instigation of his wife Cleopatra Thea.
	Alexander II Zabinas	129–123 BC		Counter-king who claimed to be an adoptive son of Antiochus VII Sidetes
	Cleopatra Thea	126–121 BC		Daughter of Ptolemy VI of Egypt. Married to three kings: Alexander Balas, Demetrius II Nicator, and Antiochus VII Sidetes. Mother of Antiochus VI, Seleucus V, Antiochus VIII Grypus, and Antiochus IX Cyzicenus. Coregent with her son Antiochus VIII Grypus. Gorgias (Greek General) and War against Jews
	Seleucus V Philometor	126/125 BC		Murdered 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 BCE
	Philip I Philadelphus	95–84/83 BC
	Antiochus XII Dionysus	87–84 BC
	Seleucus VII Kybiosaktes or Philometor	83–69 BC
	Antiochus XIII Asiaticus	69–64 BC
	Philip II Philoromaeus	65–63 BC