Seleukos Nikator: Constructing a Hellenistic Kingdom - Couverture rigide

Grainger, Dr. John D.

Couverture rigide

ISBN 10 : 0415047013 ISBN 13 : 9780415047012

Editeur : Routledge, 1990

Synopsis

Seleukos Nikator, one of Alexander the Great's commanders, was the most successful successor of the great conqueror. Over a period of 40 years from the death of Alexander in 323 BC, he patiently built his power, starting with nothing (he was a landless refugee for a time), but passing on to his son an empire which stretched from India to Greece. He was followed by an almost equally capable son, Antiochos, who defended and consolidated his father's achievement. Between them Seleukos and Antiochos created a state which lasted for the next two centuries. This biography traces the stages of Seleukos' life as he added province to province, kingdom to kingdom. He emerges as a modestly proficient general, an excellent strategist, a consummate diplomat, and an inventive and constructive ruler. The diversity of his empire required intelligence of a high order to hold it together, to conciliate Babylonian priests, dominate Iranian horsemen, survive Indian defeats, recruit Greek and Macedonian expertise, and defeat barbarian incursions. The weapons he used were as various as the tasks he faced: establishing new cities, bluffing priests, marriage and divorce, inventing an administration, and deploying skilful propaganda.

A propos du livre

Présentation de l'éditeur

Following the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BC, one of his commanders, Seleukos Nikator, rose over a period of forty years from being a landless refugee to the most successful of the Successor kings. This biography, first published in 1990, makes use of both historical and archaeological sources to trace the stages of Seleukos’ life as he added province to province, kingdom to kingdom, gradually building an empire which stretched from India to Greece and founding a state which lasted for the next two centuries.

This strangely neglected figure in ancient history emerges as a modestly proficient general, an excellent strategist, a consummate diplomat, and an inventive and constructive ruler, the diversity of his empire demanding intelligence of a high order to hold it together. Seleukos Nikator will be of interest to students of ancient history and the politics of the Hellenistic world.

Détails de l'édition

• Éditeur: Routledge
• Date d'édition: 1990
• Langue: anglais
• ISBN 10: 0415047013
• ISBN 13: 9780415047012
• Reliure: Relié
• Nombre de pages: 256
• Coordonnées du fabricant: non disponible