We've had the opportunity to tour the Seleucid Empire under Antiochus the Great as he conquered his way from Syria to the Hindu Kush, and now it's time to discuss both the longstanding imperial core of Babylonia, and their long neglected neighbors in Assyria.

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Following his victory over the Parthian Kingdom, Antiochus III marched against the Greco-Bactrian Kingdom and beyond, tracing the path of Alexander the Great and beyond.

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After defeating Achaeus, Antiochus III was quick to continue his reconquest of former Seleucid territory, or at least what he claimed was former Seleucid territory with a siege of Arsomasata and King Xerxes of Sophene. From there, the Seleucid army marched east to confront Arsakes II, the separatist king of Parthia.

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After the catastrophic Battle of Raphia, Antiochus III turned north and went to face the rebel royal Achaios and retake Anatolia in the aftermath of many surprising alliances.

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Following the Fourth Syrian War, Ptolemy IV Philopator went back to Egypt to enjoy his victory and leave administration to his advisers, at least until native Egyptian revolts brought Egypt's royal party to a screeching halt.

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After defeating Molon and Alexander in the Upper Satrapies, Antiochus III arranged or accepted the assassination of Hermeias before resuming the Fourth Syrian War against Egypt. The Seleucids rise to new heights as they approach the Battle of Raphia.

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Continuing the grand tour of western Iran, it's time to talk about Hellenistic Persia. The province of Persis was home to a unique set of governors called Frataraka under Seleucid rule who introduced new and exciting trends to the Persian homeland while the Seleucids ran the show.

A New Frataraka Chronology by David Engels - https://www.academia.edu/6374300/A_New_Frataraka_Chronology_in_Latomus_72_2013_28_82

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America: Secret Wars Season 2 kicks off with Trevor, Roberto, and Ben discussing current events in the 2026 Iran-Israel-US War. We talked a lot about the foreseeable consequences of the conflict, it's place in history, and a relatively long tangent about Muppets to break up the darkness.

The History of Saqartvelo Georgia https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/historysaqartvelogeorgia

Tsar Power https://tsarpowerpod.weebly.com/

Quest for Power https://quest-for-power.captivate.fm/

Wittenberg to Westphalia https://wittenbergtowestphaliapodcast.weebly.com/

Why Tho? A Personal Journey Through my Record Collection https://shows.acast.com/why-tho-podcast

Step Back - the Iran war is SO much worse than you think - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ovd33yfxoPk

LiveUAMap - https://iran.liveuamap.com/

Street Gang: The Complete History of Sesame Street - https://bookshop.org/p/books/street-gang-the-complete-history-of-sesame-street-michael-davis/c168ea5e423e65c9?ean=9780143116639&next=t

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Despite his Prime Minister's insistence against it, Antiochus III resolved to march east and face the rebel satrap Molon in 220 BCE. It's also time for a new Grand Tour of the Empire as we follow Antiochus on his travels.

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The Seleucid narrative is back, and Antiochus III is the new king. Fresh off the death of his father and brother, the young Antiochus found himself pulled in three different directions by his nobles as rebellions, wars, and scheming advisers took their toll on the Empire.

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Prepare for a return to the narrative with a quick round of catch up with the Seleucids' neighbors: Egypt, Macedon, India, and surprisingly, Sparta one last time before the famed warriors of Ancient Greece fade into history.

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Intelligent Speech Online 2026 is almost here, and if I haven't yet sold you on attending the conference on February 28, 2026 (starting at 9am US Eastern Time), you might be interested in my presentation from last year's event.

When he seized the Persian throne in 522 BCE, Darius the Great made a public declaration explaining his coup in the Bisotun Inscription. Details changed with each retelling, but that version of story is the only one that survived in ancient sources. Modern historians are pretty sure that it’s one of the most successful lies ever told.

IntelligentSpeechOnline.com – Intelligent Speech Online 2026 Tickets available now!

Watch the video version of this presentation here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uAFcxdySfI

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Slightly delayed by world events, but planned and written for December 2025, History of Persia marks the Iranian and Zoroastrian holiday of Sadeh, a feast and fire to stave off the dark winter nights and celebrate light and warmth.

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The Gist of the Jashan Ceremony - https://www.avesta.org/antia/Gist_of_the_Jashan_R1.pdf

The Atash Niyayesh - https://www.avesta.org/ka/niyayesh.htm#ny5

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Unfortunately for the study of Seleucid philosophy, the Seleucid kings were not major patrons of the lovers of wisdom as their Hellenistic neighbors were, and the works of the philosophers they did patronize have not survived. However, somewhat more can be said of Seleucid patronage of ancient medicine.

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We're taking a break from the narrative for a brief introduction to Ancient Greek Philosophy. From Thales to Epicurus, it's time.

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The Hellenistic Age Podcast - https://hellenisticagepodcast.wordpress.com/

History of Philosophy Without Any Gaps - https://historyofphilosophy.net/

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After chasing his brother out of Asia, but still beaten by the Parthians, Seleucus II returned to Antioch to face the family drama royals are best known for and to prepare for another round of war. In a speed round family episode, we'll cover the Seleucid extended family, the death of Seleucus Callinichus, and the reign of Seleucus III Ceranaus.

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During the Third Syrian War, Seleucus II Callinicus discovered treachery. His younger brother, Antiochus Hierax and their royal relatives in Anatolia attempted to usurp the throne. Seleucus was forced to make a hasty peace with Ptolemy III and return to the north to face his brother in open civil war.

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With Babylonia and the Seleucis of Syria under Ptolemaic occupation, it's entirely possible that the only thing that saved Seleucus II was an Egyptian famine. Free to go on the offensive, Seleucus turned the tide of the Third Syrian War.

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Antiochus II Theos was dead and his wives, Laodike and Berenike, were both trying to get their sons on the Seleucid throne. Both sides called on their relatives, the Achaeids and Ptolemies, to plunder and retake the vulnerable Empire.

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We take a break from the Seleucids to discuss their western neighbors: Egypt under Ptolemy II and Macedon under Antigonus II.

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The Hellenistic Age Podcast - https://hellenisticagepodcast.wordpress.com/

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