SELEUCIA - Commonly called Seleucia Pieria (after the mountain on its N. side) to distinguish it from other cities of the same name. It was on the coast of Syria, above the mouth of the Orontes River. It was founded by Seleucus I. as his capital, but, lacking control of the sea, he subsequently shifted his government to a new place farther up the river (Antioch). But he was buried at Seleucia. Seleucia was a great fortress. In the second Syrian war Ptolemy Euergetes established himself here (1 Mac.11.8) and it remained in Egyptian hands for 27 years. Antiochus iii the Great retook it in 219 BC. Ptolemy vi again seized it when he sided with Demetrius against Alexander Balas. It formed a league with Antioch, Apamea, and Laodicea. When Tryphon occupied Antioch, Seleucia was the seat of Demetrius ii. From here Antiochus vii. Sidetes reconquered the realm. Faithful to Antiochus viii. Grypus, it was given its freedom. It locked out Alexander Zabinas (123-122 BC) and it alone resisted the Parthian Tigranes (83-69 BC). Pompey awarded it liberty. Its greatness and importance for trade increased in imperial times. Important remains exist, and some work has been carried on there by the Princeton University Antioch Expedition. [Article: Dictionary of the Bible, J.Hastings, 2nd Ed., T&T.Clark, 1963 - E.G.K.]
SELEUCUS:
1. Seleucus I. (Nicator), originally a cavalry officer of Alexander the Great, became satrap of Babylon on the death of the king. After some vicissitudes his position there was securely established in 312 BC, from which date the Seleucid era was reckoned (1 Mac.1.16). The battle of Ipsus, 301 BC, made him master of Syria and great part of the E. He founded Antioch (q.v.) and its fortified port Seleucia (1 Mac.11.8), and is said by Josephus (Ant. xii. iii. 1 [119]) to have conferred on the Jews the privileges of citizenship. He is the 'one of his [i.e. the king of Egypt's] princes' (Dn.11.5). He died 280 BC.
2. Seleucus II. (Callinicus, 246-226 BC), son of Antiochus Soter, is entitled the 'king of the north' in the passage (Dn.11.7-9) which alludes to the utter discomfiture of the Syrian king and the capture of Seleucia.
3. Seleucus III. (Ceraunus, 226-223 BC), 'one of his (Seleucus II's) sons' (Dn.11.10), was murdered during a campaign in Asia Minor: the struggle with Egypt was continued by his brother Antiochus (Dn.11.10-16).
4. Seleucus IV. (Philopator; but Jos., Ant. xii. iv. 10 [223], calls him Soter), son of Antiochus The Great, reigned 187-176 BC. He it was who despatched Heliodorus to plunder the Temple (2 Mac.3.1-40, cf Dn.11.20).
5. Seleucus V. (125-124 BC) and VI. (95-93 BC) are not of importance to the Biblical student. The four first-named belong to the 'ten horns' of Dn.7.24. [Article: Dictionary of the Bible, J.Hastings, 2nd Ed., T&T.Clark, 1963 - J.T.]