[German Version]

The Greco-Macedonian dynasty of the Seleucids (312–74 bce) takes its name from Seleucus (358/354–280), one of the leading generals ¶ of Alexander the Great. His accession to power in Babylonia on Oct 1, 312, marked the beginning of the Seleucid era. In the course of the Wars of the Diadochi (Hellenism), he succeeded in uniting large areas of the Near East, from Asia Minor and Syria to India, in an empire of some 3.5 million km². It embraced numerous peoples, including Jews (Judaism: I), and diverse forms of territorial organization; to hold these heterog…