About this podcast
This podcast explores what happened after Alexander the Great, with a specific focus on the story of the Seleucids- a dynasty which descended from one of Alexander's generals and came to rule an empire stretching from Anatolia to India. Join us as we examine the Hellenistic world and watch the shifting Seleucid fortunes through the various highs and lows. Currently covering: The reign of Seleucus IV Philopater (187- 175 BCE).
Episodes
The newest 20 of 132 episodes
- 111- The Conquering God-King · 14 min · Season 9 Episode 5Antiochus V tries his hardest to unify Greek religion- and obviously the only way to do that is to declare himself a god- while also pushing eastwards to rebuild Seleucid…
- 110- Circle Time · 10 min · Season 9 Episode 4Full disclosure: today's topic is one I've been looking forward to since I started the podcast back in 2020. Today, we witness Antiochus V shatter the peace with Egypt and resume…
- 109- The Sixth Syrian War · 11 min · Season 9 Episode 3Good things come in sixes- or do they? Well, at least not in the case of Syrian Wars between the Seleucids and the Ptolemies. Let's watch Egypt collapse after a series of one-two…
- 108- Looking Outwards · 12 min · Season 9 Episode 2You might be hoping that the Seleucid Empire will finally experience a bit of peace and quiet. But not a bit of it. Perseus of Macedon finally initiates that war with Rome we've…
- Announcement- I've written a book! · 5 minVince here- I've written a historical fiction book set in Constantinople in 1081! Well, kind of. The first draft of the manuscript is complete at about 59,000 words across 34…
- 107- The Wannabe Roman and the Cursed Trifecta · 10 min · Season 9 Episode 1Antiochus V (otherwise called Antiochus IV) is officially sole king. Let's introduce his personality to the world- and explore the rather squeamish matter of his love life…
- 106- Antiochus IV 'the Helpless' · 6 min · Season 8 Episode 2Yes, we are here again. The recap campfire hasn't even died down yet, but we've got to see off the boy we've come to know as Antiochus IV. Don't hold out hope for a long episode…
- 105- Family Reunion · 8 min · Season 8 Episode 1There are three Seleucids left on our chess board. Mithridates- brother of Seleucus IV- is in Athens, having been released from Roman captivity. Demetrius, the eldest son of…
- 104- Seleucus IV 'the Hampered' · 10 min · Season 7 Episode 4Poor old Seleucus IV. Quite a contrast from the jam-packed reign of Antiochus III. But did he start out from a worse position- or did he not have that certain je ne sais quoi?…
- 103- Hitting a Brick Wall · 7 min · Season 7 Episode 3We go flying through the years, all the way down to 175 BCE. Seleucus IV has to deal with financial troubles, his son being held hostage in Rome- and his own assassination…
- 102- The Mediterranean Simmers · 17 min · Season 7 Episode 2With Seleucus IV now in charge of the Seleucid empire, let's see how the rest of the Mediterranean world is getting on. In and around the first few years of Seleucus' reign, we…
- 101- Not the Heir, But the Spare · 10 min · Season 7 Episode 1Seleucus IV may be in charge of the empire as of 187 BCE, but he wasn't meant to rule. Instead, we've largely been focussed previously on his elder brother, Antiochus the Young…
- 100- Antiochus III 'the Worthy' · 15 min · Season 6 Episode 31The rule of Antiochus III is behind us, so let's examine the years from 223 to 187 BCE and remind ourselves of just how eventful these nearly four decades have been. We'll also…
- Announcement- The Diadochina · 2 minI have become a father! My firstborn daughter is here and is of course wonderful. However, the fact of her existence means that there may be some disruption to the podcast…
- Looking Ahead 3- Athens Through the Ages · 13 minThis is part of a triple collaboration with Biopedia and Autocrat. Autocrat are discussing the founding myth of Athens, while Biopedia explore the olive trees that feature so…
- 99- Things Fall Apart · 15 min · Season 6 Episode 30Defeat at Magnesia sparks collapse throughout the Seleucid empire. Antiochus III leaves his son behind in Antioch as Seleucus IV and then heads out east- only to meet his end…
- 98- The Treaty of Apamea · 11 min · Season 6 Episode 29With Antiochus III having sent delegates to Rome, it is up to the Senate to decide what to do with the defeated Seleucid kingdom. The results definitely please Eumenes II of a…
- 97- Anatolia Crumbles · 13 min · Season 6 Episode 28With the Seleucid armies shattered after Magnesia, the cities of Anatolia begin to fall like dominoes. Antiochus III finds himself with no choice but to come to the negotiating…
- 96- The Battle of Magnesia · 16 min · Season 6 Episode 27In 190 BCE, Antiochus III faces off against the Scipio brothers near the settlement of Magnesia-by-Sipylus. The resulting battle will be a disaster for the Seleucids- and see the…
- 95- Countdown to Magnesia · 10 min · Season 6 Episode 26With the Romans now in Anatolia, Antiochus III has only got so long to go before a major showdown. He tries his best to avoid it- mainly by attempting to bribe Scipio Africanus…
