Seleucus

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Seleucus Name of two kings of Syria. Seleucus I (c.355–281 bc) was a trusted general of Alexander the Great and founder of the Seleucid dynasty. By 281 bc, he secured control of Babylonia, Syria, and all of Asia Minor, founding a western capital at Antioch to balance the eastern capital of Seleucia, in Babylon. He appeared to be on the brink of restoring the whole of Alexander's empire under his rule when he was murdered. Seleucus II (r.247–226 bc) spent his reign fighting Ptolemy III of Egypt and Antiochus Hierax, his brother and rival, losing territory to both.

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