Interrogating the successes and failures of the Seleucid empire

Abstract

The narratives surrounding the Seleucid Empire have been presented by modern historians, and drawing from the works of such ancient  authors as Appian, Pliny, Polybius, and Josephus on the subject matter. These modern scholars namely, Strootman, Houghton and Lorber,  Kurt and SherwinWhite among others have discussed the various aspects of the history, culture and structure of the Seleuicid  Empire, with little attention paid solely to her attainments and shortcomings. This study attempts to critically interrogate the successes  and fiascos of the Empire, with a view to highlighting the workings of the leadership that translated to victories and failures in the  Seleucid kingdom. The paper argues that the leaders who were motivated and succeeded in expanding the frontiers of the kingdom, in due course, became careless and deficient in employing effective strategic measures in administering the empire, and her weak foreign  policies exacerbated the conflicts with allies and foes alike. Further studies may examine all the wars and peace treaties undertaken by  the Seleucid Empire.