The Rise and Decline of Seleucia: From Greek Capital to Royal Seat of Parthia and Beyond
Selectica, the ancient capital of the Seleucid Empire, was founded in the late 4th century BCE by Seleucus I Nicator, one of Alexander the Great's generals. Strategically located near the Tigris River, close to modern-day Baghdad, Iraq, the city served as a vibrant center for culture and administration during the Hellenistic period. Over time, however, Seleucia faced numerous challenges that led to its eventual decline and transformation.
The Fall of the Seleucid Empire and the Rise of Ctesiphon
As the Seleucid Empire weakened due to internal strife, external pressures, and competition from rising powers like the Parthians and Romans, Seleucia's significance dwindled. In the 2nd century BCE, the Parthians, under their leader Mithridates I, conquered Seleucia, leading to a decline in its status as a major Hellenistic city. However, contrary to this impression, Seleucia did not disappear but rather merged with the new Parthian royal palace-city of Ctesiphon on the other bank of the Tigris.
Mahuza and Al-Madain: A New Metropolis
The conurbation eventually came to be known in Aramaic as Mahuza and later in Arabic as al-Madain, which translates to "the cities." This combined metropolis had a long and prosperous history from the fall of the Seleucids in 167 BC until the Arab conquest in 637.
The Greek Legacy in Ctesiphon
Parthian-era Seleucia retained its Greek institutions and part-Greek population long after the Seleucids had disappeared. The Parthian kings saw the value in maintaining these Greek urban centers for their administrative and trade needs. Tacitus described in 36 AD:
“the powerful community of Seleucia, a walled town which faithful to the memory of its founder Seleucus [and] has not degenerated into barbarism. Three hundred members chosen for wealth or wisdom form a senate: the people has its own prerogatives.”
Pliny the Elder writing around the 70s mentioned an estimated population of around 600,000, which, while possibly an exaggeration, suggests a significant and vibrant city. Coins from this era, such as those minted by Gotarzes II, reflected the continued Greek influence with designs featuring traditional Seleucid motifs and titles like "king of kings" and "the friend of the Greeks."
The Roman–Parthian Wars and Roman Operations
However, during the Roman–Parthian Wars, Seleucia-Ctesiphon became a crucial focus for Roman operations in Mesopotamia. The city was captured multiple times, including by the Roman Emperor Trajan in 116, indirectly during the sack of 197, and by the Roman forces again in 164 and 197. The magnitude of the capture in 197, with an alleged 100,000 prisoners, highlights the city's significance and wealth.
The Transition to Sassanian Era
The city remained a vibrant center until the Sassanids overthrew the Parthians in 224. Renamed Beh-Ardaīr for the Sassanian emperor Ardashir I, the city continued to flourish until about the middle of the sixth century when devastating floods rendered parts of the city uninhabitable. By the time of the Arab conquest in 637, the population had dwindled to around 150,000, a quarter of its Parthian peak.
Similar to Babylon before it, the city was not "destroyed" but simply withered away as economic and political life moved elsewhere. Today, the ruins of Seleucia provide invaluable insights into its rich history, reflecting the blend of Hellenistic and local cultures that once thrived there.
Key Points:
The founding and early significance of Seleucia by Seleucus I Nicator. The challenges faced by Seleucia in the post-Hellenistic era, including the Parthian conquest and earthquakes. The long-lasting presence of Greek influence in the city, despite the fall of the Seleucids. The strategic importance of the city during the Roman–Parthian Wars and the subsequent rise of Sassanian rule. The eventual decline and transformation of Seleucia into a smaller, partially uninhabitable city by the 7th century.