After Alexander

Now that Antiochus III is a bit more secure on the throne, it's time to examine his family. We've had reason to introduce his eldest son Antiochus and his daughter Cleopatra, but what about the rest of the brood? Well, in examining the family and the facts about their lives, we need to wade through quite a bit of the fog of history- and discuss the beginning of cursed marriages within the dynasty....

When Ptolemy IV of Egypt dies to be succeeded by an infant Ptolemy V, Antiochus III seizes his chance. It's time to walk all over Egypt- and establish a very famous name in the region while doing so... Sources for this episode: TBA

Alexander the Great once travelled east to India, tried to stamp his authority on the subcontinent and was forced home by the mutiny of his own men before planning to take over Arabia. Although that might be a subject for a During Alexander episode rather than After Alexander, we're going to see his spiritual successor Antiochus III follow in his footsteps and do surprisingly well... Sources for t...

Antiochus III is gunning for the east. Xerxes of Armenia, Arsaces II of Parthia and even Euthydemus of Bactria are going to be on the receiving end of Seleucid wrath... Sources for this episode: TBA

Achaeus the Younger is gone! How? Well, it involves an attempted meddling by Egypt, a flagrant betrayal by a Cretan mercenary, and a stealthy spy mission in the night with a king disguised as a lowly warrior. What more could you ask for? Sources for this episode: Bevan, E. R. (1966), The House of Seleucus (Vol. II). New York: Barnes & Noble, Inc. Greene, R. (2000), The 48 Laws of Power. London...

Antiochus III has been waiting a long time for revenge on his independent-minded cousin Achaeus the Younger. Well, now's his chance. Join us today as we watch Antiochus sweep all before him on a vengeful path of destruction across Anatolia... Sources for this episode: Bevan, E. R. (1966), The House of Seleucus (Vol. II). New York: Barnes & Noble, Inc. The Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica (2023...

In the calm before the storm, we examine what was going on in Anatolia. Achaeus the Younger has been a rising power since he's been free to romp round the peninsula, squaring off against Attalus I of Pergamon and whoever else he comes across. Sources for this episode: Bevan, E. R. (1902), The House of Seleucus (Vol. I). London: Edward Arthur. Espenak, F., NASA (date unknown) Solar Eclipses of Hist...

The Fourth Syrian War is here! I know, it kind of felt like we stumbled into it for me as well. Join us as we see Antiochus III tear through Hollow Syria like a knife through butter, and we witness the only time Indian elephants fought African elephants at Raphia... Sources for this episode: Bevan, E. R. (1902), The House of Seleucus (Vol. I). London: Edward Arthur. Polybius (1979), Polybius the H...

Antiochus III strikes into Hollow Syria... eventually. He's got an old wrong to put right first. Sources for this episode: Bevan, E. R. (1902), The House of Seleucus (Vol. I). London: Edward Arthur. Polybius (1979), Polybius the Histories, in Six Volumes (Volume III). Cambridge, Massachusetts and London: Harvard University Press and William Heinemann, Ltd.

With Molon dealt with, Antiochus III now turns his attention towards Lesser Media and the east. Hermias, the scheming minister, is fine with this decision given that there's an heir been born and the possibility of a regency should anything happen to the king. However, Antiochus has his own ideas- as does prince Achaeus over in Anatolia... Sources for this episode: Bevan, E. R. (1902), The House o...

The showdown is here, and as the title might give away- Molon might want to think of a backup career path instead of 'king'...Sources for this episode: Bevan, E. R. (1902), The House of Seleucus (Vol. I). London: Edward Arthur. Polybius (1979), Polybius the Histories, in Six Volumes (Volume III). Translated by W. R. Paton. Cambridge, Massachusetts and London: Harvard University Press and William H...

Episode 13 was once called 'Young Man, Go West!'- well, now a descendant of the king we exhorted to travel to Macedon is heading east to deal with the threat of Molon. Sources for this episode: Bevan, E. R. (1902), The House of Seleucus (Vol. I). London: Edward Arthur. The Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica (2016), Anti-Lebanon Mountains (online) (Accessed 21/06/2024). Author unknown, Wikipedia (dat...

Ptolemy IV has become king of Egypt, and there are going to be consequences. Let's explore some bloodletting within the Ptolemaic royal family... Sources for this episode: Bennett, C. (2002), The Children of Ptolemy III and the Date of the Exedra of Thermos. Zeitschirft für Payrologie und Epigraphik 138: 141-145. Bevan, E. R. (1914), A History of Egypt under the Ptolemaic Dynasty. London: Metheuen...

Molon starts to become a serious threat- and the Seleucid court just keep fumbling the ball...Sources for this episode: Bevan, E. R. (1902), The House of Seleucus (Vol. I). London: Edward Arthur. Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Molon (online) (Accessed 30/04/2024). Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Xenoetas (online) (Accessed 30/04/2024).

We start off the reign of Antiochus III reviewing just how bad a situation the empire finds itself in. Not only have we seen the edges fall away, but now cronies are squabbling over how to squander the remainder... Sources for this episode: Bevan, E. R. (1902), The House of Seleucus (Vol. I). London: Edward Arthur. Burstein, S. (2022), Ptolemy III Euergetes ("Benefactor") I, king of Egypt, early 2...

100 years. That's how long it's been since Alexander the Great died. Before we move on from Seleucus III, let's look back on the past century and our five Seleucid monarchs... Sources for this episode are past episodes, with the exception of Diodorus Siculus for Alexander's plans. The reference for this is given below: Diodorus (1984), Diodorus of Sicily in Twelve Volumes. Volume IX: Books XVIII a...

We are slowly but steadily approaching episode 100 of After Alexander. I'm planning to make that a proper episode, but my aim is to host an AMA (or an Ask Me Anything) around about the same time. If you have any questions about the podcast, podcasting generally, or anything else, I'd love to hear from you! Simply get in touch at the show's email address, 'afteralexpod@gmail.com'. There is also a s...

Back again after what feels like a confusingly short amount of time. Seleucus III has no son to succeed him, making him the first king since his great-great-grandfather without a direct heir. So, let's put Seleucus III behind us... This episode draws upon material from previous episodes.

Demetrius II was king last time we checked in with the kingdom of Macedon. In order to establish some context for the time period when both Macedon and Egypt were getting involved in Cleomenes of Sparta's war, we are going to have to introduce both Antigonus III and the young Philip V. Sources for this episode: Bevan, E. R. (1902), The House of Seleucus (Vol. I). London: Edward Arthur. Rawlinson,...

Seleucus III is on his way to Anatolia. However, two members of the Seleucid army called Nicanor and Apaturius are about to make life difficult... Sources for this episode: Bevan, E. R. (1902), The House of Seleucus (Vol. I). London: Edward Arthur. Grainger, J. D., (2014), The Rise of the Seleukid Empire (323- 223 BCE), Seleukos I to Seleukos III. Barnsley: Pen & Sword Books Ltd. (eBook). Auth...

Seleucus II has perished from falling off his horse. Long live king Alexander! Oh... wait... That's too original of a name, isn't it? Well, Seleucus III it is then. Find out in this episode what the new Seleucid regime has to consider. Sources for this episode: Bevan, E. R. (1902), The House of Seleucus (Vol. I). London: Edward Arthur. Grainger, J. D., (2014), The Rise of the Seleukid Empire (323-...

Adieu to Seleucus II- but not quite just yet. Before we pass the torch on to the next generation, we will spend some time looking at how far we've come since 246 BCE and giving Seleucus his well-deserved epithet. In terms of sources, this episode is based on episodes 47 to 63 inclusive.

Attalus of Pergamon seems to have become enough an issue that Seleucus is trying to stabilise Syria ahead of an incursion. It's time to mete out some Seleucid wrath to Anatolia- or is it...? Sources for this episode: Bevan, E. R. (1902), The House of Seleucus (Vol. I). London: Edward Arthur.  Grainger, J. D., (2014), The Rise of the Seleukid Empire (323- 223 BCE), Seleukos I to Seleukos III. Barns...

Seleucus may have been losing territory around the edges, but life in the centre of the empire is no bed of roses either. The moral of the story? If you're a Seleucid royal, rejecting a proposal by your aunt may have consequences... Sources for this episode:  Grainger, J. D., (2014), The Rise of the Seleukid Empire (323- 223 BCE), Seleukos I to Seleukos III. Barnsley: Pen & Sword Books Ltd. (e...

Our reign thus far has had a buzzing little princeling incessantly causing problems. Well, even the bravest hawk must someday get shot down and hit the ground. Hard. Sources for this episode: Bevan, E. R. (1902), The House of Seleucus (Vol. I). London: Edward Arthur.  Grainger, J. D., (2014), The Rise of the Seleukid Empire (323- 223 BCE), Seleukos I to Seleukos III. Barnsley: Pen & Sword Book...