Seleucia (Greek: Σελεύκεια, Seleukeia), distinguished as Seleucia-near-Belus[1] (Greek: Σελεύκεια πρὸς Βήλῳ, Seleúkeia pròs Bḗlōi,[2] or πρὸς τῷ Βήλῳ, pròs tôi Bḗlōi;[1] Latin: Seleucia ad Belum[3] or juxta Belum[4]) and later known as Seleucobelus (Σελευκόβηλος, Seleukóbēlos)[1] or Seleucopolis,[5] was an ancient Greek and Roman city on the Orontes River. Its location remains uncertain.

Name

The name of the settlement honored Seleucus I Nicator,[6] one of the Diadochi successors to the empire of Alexander the Great, although it may have been a foundation by his son and successor Antiochus.[1] It was distinguished from other cities named Seleucia by reference to "Belus" or "the Belus", a toponym which was variously applied to Syria's Limestone Massif, which lies to the city's north,[7] and to various rivers in Syria.[1] In this case, it appears that the name Belus was a title of the Orontes.[7]

History

The city was a Hellenistic foundation of the Seleucid Empire.[6] It sat on the Orontes's[6] west bank near its headwaters, positioning it to function as a depot for overland trade in the area. During the heyday of the Seleucid Empire, it formed a suburb of the nearby and larger settlement Apamea[6] (originally Pella),[8] which Ptolemy placed ½° to its east.[2] The entire area held over half a million people.

After the 2nd century, it typically appeared under the name Seleucobelus.[1]

The precise location of the settlement remains uncertain,[6] with various scholars placing it near Al-Suqaylabiyah,[9] Jisr al-Shughur or Bara.[7]

See also

References

Citations

Bibliography

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