Alexander (grandson of Seleucus I Nicator)

Alexander (Greek: Ἀλέξανδρος; flourished 3rd century BC) was a Greek nobleman of Anatolia and served as a Seleucid official.^[1]

Alexander was the first son born to Achaeus^[2] by an unnamed Greek mother. His father Achaeus was a wealthy nobleman who owned estates in Anatolia. His family had power in Anatolia with strong royal connections.^[3] Alexander had three siblings, two sisters, Antiochis and Laodice I, and a brother Andromachus.^[4] His father Achaeus was the second son of King Seleucus I Nicator and his first wife Apama I.^[5][6]

According to surviving inscriptions, Alexander was already active and held high positions under his paternal uncle Antiochus I Soter.^[2] A surviving decree at Bargylia honoring a judge from Teos mentions Alexander as having been ‘left in charge’ by Antiochus I Soter, meaning that Alexander was some sort of governor in the Caria region.^[7] The surviving decree at Bargylia dates from 270–261 BC.^[1]

During the reign of his paternal cousin and brother-in-law Antiochus II Theos, Alexander was a very powerful figure in Anatolia.^[1] Between 261–244 BC in Magnesia ad Sipylum, he is noted in writing a letter about land allotments granted to soldiers and he was honored at Tralles.^[1]

In the year 240 BC Alexander was still loyal to his nephew Seleucus II Callinicus, as he was the governor of Lydia, based at Sardis.^[1][8] In the civil war between Seleucus II Callinicus and his brother Antiochus Hierax, Alexander supported this second nephew, and held Sardis against attacks by Seleucus II.^[2]

After the end of the civil war, nothing is known on Alexander. His namesake was his great-nephew Seleucus III Ceraunus, whose name was Alexander until he succeeded his father Seleucus II Callinicus as King in 225 BC.^{[citation needed]}

References

1. Grainger, A Seleukid prosopography and gazetteer p. 75
2. Billows, Kings and colonists: aspects of Macedonian imperialism p. 97
3. Grainger, A Seleukid prosopography and gazetteer p. 8
4. Billows, Kings and colonists: aspects of Macedonian imperialism pp. 97, 110
5. "Seleucid genealogy". Archived from the original on 2012-03-24. Retrieved 2011-05-19.
6. Seleucus I Nicator article at Livius.org
7. Billows, Kings and colonists: aspects of Macedonian imperialism pp.97-98
8. Billows, Kings and colonists: aspects of Macedonian imperialism p. 98

Sources

• R. A. Billows, Kings and colonists: aspects of Macedonian imperialism, BRILL, 1995
• J. D. Grainger, A Seleukid prosopography and gazetteer, BRILL, 1997
• Seleucid genealogy Archived 2012-03-24 at the Wayback Machine
• Seleucus I Nicator article at Livius.org