Abstract
Abstract: In the Diadochoi Chronicle from Babylon it is stated that when in
spring 311 B.C. Seleukos recovered Babylon, he took the title of “general of
Asia” (strategos tes Asias) from Antigonos. This decision was not accepted by his
allies Ptolemy, Kassandros and Lysimachos and evidently not by Antigonos,
with whom the allies made peace in the same year. This is an extra argument
that Seleukos was not a partner in the peace treaty. Seleukos himself was probably
officially satrap of Babylonia, but appointed Patrokles as strategos of Babylonia
to defend the satrapy while he was absent. In the ensuing Babylonian war
Antigonos’ son Demetrios tried to reconquer Babylonia from August 310 to
March 309 B.C. In March 309 Demetrios left Babylon for Asia Minor leaving
behind Archelaos as rival satrap (or strategos?) of Babylonia to carry on the war.
Probably some time after 305 B.C. (when Seleukos became king) a new satrap
of Babylonia was appointed. The first possible attestation is in chronicle
BCHP 7 (301 B.C.?); the first certain attestation is in an astronomical diary
concerning 274 B.C., acting side by side with a strategos.
spring 311 B.C. Seleukos recovered Babylon, he took the title of “general of
Asia” (strategos tes Asias) from Antigonos. This decision was not accepted by his
allies Ptolemy, Kassandros and Lysimachos and evidently not by Antigonos,
with whom the allies made peace in the same year. This is an extra argument
that Seleukos was not a partner in the peace treaty. Seleukos himself was probably
officially satrap of Babylonia, but appointed Patrokles as strategos of Babylonia
to defend the satrapy while he was absent. In the ensuing Babylonian war
Antigonos’ son Demetrios tried to reconquer Babylonia from August 310 to
March 309 B.C. In March 309 Demetrios left Babylon for Asia Minor leaving
behind Archelaos as rival satrap (or strategos?) of Babylonia to carry on the war.
Probably some time after 305 B.C. (when Seleukos became king) a new satrap
of Babylonia was appointed. The first possible attestation is in chronicle
BCHP 7 (301 B.C.?); the first certain attestation is in an astronomical diary
concerning 274 B.C., acting side by side with a strategos.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | The Age of the Successors and the Creation of the Hellenistic Kingdoms (323-276 B.C.) |
| Editors | H. Hauben, A. Meeus |
| Place of Publication | Leuven |
| Publisher | Peeters Publishers |
| Pages | 323-342 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9789042929586 |
| Publication status | Published - 2014 |
| Event | The Age of the Successors (323-276 BC). Leuven en Brussel. - Leuven Duration: 25 Sep 2008 → 27 Sep 2008 |
Conference
| Conference | The Age of the Successors (323-276 BC). Leuven en Brussel. |
|---|---|
| Period | 25/09/08 → 27/09/08 |
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Cite this
van der Spek, R. J. (2014). Seleukos, self-appointed general (strategos) of Asia (311-305 B.C.), and the satrapy of Babylonia. In H. Hauben, & A. Meeus (Eds.), The Age of the Successors and the Creation of the Hellenistic Kingdoms (323-276 B.C.) (pp. 323-342). Leuven: Peeters Publishers.