The Seleukids at War: Recruitment, Composition, and Organization

The largest kingdom to emerge from the conquests of Alexander the Great was founded by Seleukos I Nikator (the 'Conqueror'). His successors strove to defend the territories ranging from western Asia Minor to Arachosia in the east. The Syrian core transformed into a new Macedon, hosting myriads of veterans whose offspring became the next generations' phalangites. Babylonia added wealth and soldiers, Media provided cavalry. At the height of the kingdom's might, Antiochos III Megas was repelled from Greece by the Romans and lost Asia Minor at the Battle of Magnesia (190 BCE). The realm recovered and Antiochos IV nearly conquered Egypt before withdrawing at the behest of the Romans. His undiminished army was ostentatiously paraded at Daphne by Antioch on the Orontes (166 BCE).

The narratives around key events are the prime sources for systematic inquiries into the sophisticated war machinery of the Seleukids, complemented by Greek and Akkadian inscriptions that attest to garrisons and settled veterans. The authors engage diverse sources and the latest scholarship to explain the tactics, manpower, and strategy of Seleukid warfare.

Altay Coşkun is Professor of Classical Studies at the University of Waterloo, Ontario. He joined the department in 2009, after gaining his PhD (1999) and Habilitation (2007) at Trier University and holding research positions at Oxford, Trier and Exeter. His interests range from Ancient Anatolia over the Greek poleis, Hellenistic kingdoms, Roman diplomacy and citizenship to the Late Roman state.

Benjamin Scolnic is a rabbi and scholar. He has been the spiritual leader of Temple Beth Sholom in Hamden, Connecticut, since 1983. Scolnic studied at Columbia University and the Jewish Theological Seminary of America and holds a doctorate in biblical studies from the Jewish Theological Seminary. His main interests are the Book of Daniel in the context of Hellenistic history, Seleukid studies and Hellenistic warfare.