★ Fine Style ★

Seleukid Kingdom. Babylon. Seleukos I Nikator 312-281 BC. In the name and types of Alexander III of Macedon
Tetradrachm AR

25 mm, 17,10 g

Head of Herakles to right, wearing lion skin headdress, paws tied beneath chin / ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ, Zeus seated left on high-backed throne, right leg drawn back, his feet resting on a low foot rest, holding long scepter in his left hand and, in his right, eagle standing right with closed wings, H in left field, monogram in wreath beneath throne.

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Price 3708.

NGC graded Ch XF Strike 5/5 Surface 4/5 Seleucus I Nicator (358 BC – 281 BC) was one of the generals of Alexander the Great and one of the Diadochi, the group of military leaders who competed for control of Alexander's empire after his death in 323 BC. Seleucus became the founder of the Seleucid Empire, which encompassed much of the territory conquered by Alexander in the eastern part of his empire. After Alexander's death, Seleucus initially served under Perdiccas, one of the other Diadochi, but he eventually broke away and established his own rule. He managed to carve out a vast empire that stretched from Anatolia (modern-day Turkey) to the Indian subcontinent. His rule extended over areas including Persia, Mesopotamia, and parts of Central Asia. Seleucus is known for his strategic and administrative abilities. He engaged in wars and diplomatic maneuvers to consolidate and expand his empire, facing challenges from other Diadochi and local rulers. He also established many new cities, several of which were named after him, such as Seleucia. Seleucus's reign was marked by a fusion of Greek and indigenous cultures, often referred to as Hellenistic culture. He encouraged the integration of Greek settlers and soldiers with the local populations, which led to the spread of Greek language, architecture, and customs throughout his empire. Seleucus I Nicator's dynasty, the Seleucid dynasty, ruled for several generations, but over time, the empire faced internal strife and external pressures from neighboring powers like the Parthians and the Romans. The Seleucid Empire gradually declined and eventually fell, with its remnants being absorbed by other empires.

From the Matteo Savoca collection