After the death of Alexander III of Macedon, the Seleucid Empire emerged as one of the most powerful Hellenistic kingdoms of Asia. His huge territorial extension and the various peoples who came under their control necessitated the... more
After the death of Alexander III of Macedon, the Seleucid Empire emerged as one of the most powerful Hellenistic kingdoms of Asia. His huge territorial extension and the various peoples who came under their control necessitated the creation of a mighty army that would ensure their control and help protectit from its enemies.
Throughout history, the Seleucid military might demonstrated many times its importance for the maintenance, expansion and defense of the Empire. Rarely the Seleucid army was defeated in a campaign and it happened in front of the almighty... more
Throughout history, the Seleucid military might demonstrated
many times its importance for the maintenance, expansion and defense of the Empire. Rarely the Seleucid army was defeated in a campaign and it happened in front of the almighty Rome. After the defeat at Thermopylae and Magnesia, and following the imminent withdrawal must conquer the Ptolemaic Empire, the new king Antiochus IV Epiphanes held a military parade as never been done before, its real purpose is unknown, but the Seleucids showed the world the power that still had the Empire. Through the stories of several classic sources, we can come closer to this event and what
it could entail.
Seleucus II Callinicus was the first Seleucid king (from 246 to 225 BC) who portrayed himself on coins bearded and wearing a diadem. This seems to be due to the wars that were waged in the Seleucid Empire during the reign of this king,... more
Seleucus II Callinicus was the first Seleucid king (from 246 to 225 BC) who portrayed himself on coins bearded and wearing a diadem. This seems to be due to the wars that were waged in the Seleucid Empire during the reign of this king, including the separation of Parthia and Bactria from the Seleucid Empire, and the invasion of Arsaces. Seleucus
II Callinicus embarked on an unsuccessful campaign against the Parni, and after this event he issued coins showing himself with a beard. In fact, such imagery presented the king both as a worshiper who had made vows to the gods -Apollo and Artemis - for his victory, and as a military commander. What is more, it cannot be ruled out that Seleucus also consciously referred to the iconography of the Achaemenid kings, who were always depicted with a beard, thus showing himself to his subjects as the legitimate king of Iran.
In a new research on the Seleucid coins of Avicenna’s (Bu Ali Sina) Museum of Hamedan, eight new Tetradrachms from uncertain mint 65 have been identified. These coins issued under the authority of the Seleucid rulers, Antiochus III Megas... more
In a new research on the Seleucid coins of Avicenna’s (Bu Ali Sina) Museum of Hamedan, eight new Tetradrachms from uncertain mint 65 have been identified. These coins issued under the authority of the Seleucid rulers, Antiochus III Megas (223-187 B.C.) and early reign of Seleucus IV Philopator (187-175 B.C.). In this article, the research main aim is review the issues and identify the likely location of the uncertain mint 65 and accordingly, coins of this mint that have been found in northwest of Iran. On following, all the characteristics of the mentioned mint are studied through following steps; catalogue of mint sequence, the value and duration of the mint and its comparative analysis with the main mints, such as Antioch on the Orontes, and survey of portrait types, the number of engravers and also identification of the elements by proton induced X-ray emission and its comparison to the Eastern Mints of the Seleucid Period. Contrary to the book of Selucid Coins (SC), the results of our study suggest that the relocation of this mint from Commagene or Northern Syria on the base of Seleucid coins to the eastern Mesopotamia or to the far northwest of Iran.
