Seleucus I was a daring Macedonian general who aided Alexander’s conquest of Persia and Northern India, and eventually united most of Alexander’s Asian empire, except for Palestine, under his own rule. After Alexander’s death, he became Governor of Babylonia, but was later forced to abandon Babylonia, and seek refuge with Ptolemy, Alexander’s closest friend. However, he did manage to reclaim Babylon, and after the truce of 311 BC, Seleucus was left as master of most Asian provinces, with the notable exception of Phoenicia and Palestine, which Ptolemy had annexed.
In 305 BC, Seleucus look the title of King. Overcoming his enemies, he claimed all of Syria and the eastern provinces of Asia Minor. To solidify his control of the Mediterranean territories, he transferred his capital from Seleucia on the Tigris, to the new city of Antioch. For almost two decades after this, Seleucus was able to concentrate on consolidating his hold on his vast kingdom. He also launched an invasion of Europe, but was killed before he could return to his homeland. His ashes were enshrined by his son at Seleucia, where he was worshipped posthumously as Zeus Nicator, an incarnation of the head of the Greek pantheon.
