The Seleucid Empire was a Hellenistic state that existed between the 4th and 1st centuries BC. It was established by Seleucus I Nicator
By Wu Mingren
“The Seleucid Empire was a Hellenistic state that existed between the 4th and 1st centuries BC. It was established by Seleucus I Nicator (meaning ‘victor’ or ‘conqueror’), one of the diadochi, or successors, of Alexander the Great. Seleucus gained control of the eastern provinces, and his empire was the largest among the successor states of Alexander’s Macedonian Empire . At its greatest extent, the Seleucid Empire stretched from Thrace in the west to the border of India in the east.”
“Nevertheless, the size of the Seleucid Empire was both its strength and its weakness, as the resources of the Seleucids were overstretched, making it difficult for them to hold on to their territories. The Seleucids were constantly at war with the other successors of Alexander , most notably the Ptolemies. In the end, however, neither were able to overcome the other and it was the Romans who emerged victorious over both the Seleucids and the Ptolemies.”
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