After Alexander

239 BCE saw the death of someone who has been in the background of our Seleucid story for what feels like forever. As such, we should give him a proper sendoff. Say goodbye to Antigonus II...

Sources for this episode:

• Bennett, J. E., Li, G., Foreman, K., Best, N., Kontis, V., Pearson, C., Hambly, P. and Ezzati, M. (2015), The future of life expectancy and life expectancy inequalities in England and Wales: Bayesian spatiotemporal forecasting. Lancet 386: 163-170.
• Bevan, E. R. (1902), The House of Seleucus (Vol. I). London: Edward Arthur.
• Bevan, E. R. (1914), A History of Egypt under the Ptolemaic Dynasty. London: Methuen & Co., Ltd.
• Harju, O. (2018), Male Heirs, Bastard King, Catholic England and Other Alternatives: A Counterfactual History Analysis of Henry VIII's Three Sons. Bachelor's thesis submitted to the University of Oulu.
• Keynes 2005 (reference to be updated)
• Volkmann, H., Encyclopedia Britannica (2024), Antigonus II Gonatas (online) (Accessed 27/02/2024).
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Antigonus II Gonatas (online) (Accessed 27/02/2024).
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Demetrius II Aetolicus (online) (Accessed 27/02/2024).
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), List of monarchs in Britain by length of reign (online) (Accessed 27/02/2024).
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Philip V of Macedon (online) (Accessed 27/02/2024).

Hierax is making his move and Seleucus II is doing his best to counteract it. Let's see how he does in the early phases of what is known as the Fraternal War.

Sources for this episode:

• Bevan, E. R. (1902), The House of Seleucus (Vol. I). London: Edward Arthur.
• The Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica (2024), Ankara (online) (Accessed c.27/02/2024).
• The Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica (2023), Lydia (online) (Accessed c.27/02/2024).
•  Grainger, J. D., (2014), The Rise of the Seleukid Empire (323- 223 BCE), Seleukos I to Seleukos III. Barnsley: Pen & Sword Books Ltd. (eBook).
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Mithridates II of Pontus (online) (Accessed 27/02/2024).

Seleucus II may have been in our focus for the political and military drama so far, but he also has a wife and children who will become the players on the stage in the next generation. Let's take some time to introduce them while we still have some breathing space...

Sources for this episode:

TBA

Antiochus Hierax has behaved himself up until this point in our narrative, but it won't stay that way for long. To the government in Sardis, Antiochus III 'the Hawk' has arisen in Anatolia to claim the throne from his brother. But who are this faction of the Seleucid dynasty he's working with?

Sources for this episode:

• Bevan, E. R. (1902), The House of Seleucus (Vol. I). London: Edward Arthur (eBook).
• D'Agostini, M. (2023), Laodice (2), Seleucid queen, wife of Antiochus (2) II, c. 285– unknown. Oxford Classical Dictionary (online) (Accessed 11/01/2024).
• Grainger, J. D. (2014), The Rise of the Seleukid Empire (323- 223 BCE), Seleukos I to Seleukos III. Barnsley: Pen & Sword Books Ltd. (eBook).
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Achaeus (son of Seleucus I Nicator) (online) (Accessed 11/01/2024).
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Alexander (grandson of Seleucus I Nicator) (online) (Accessed 11/01/2024).
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Andromachus (son of Achaeus) (online) (Accessed 11/01/2024).
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Antiochus III the Great (online) (Accessed 11/01/2024).
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Seleucus III Ceraunus (online) (Accessed 11/01/2024).

The Third Syrian War plays out and it turns out miracles do exist- Seleucus II has managed to claw his way back out of the quagmire. However, this is not without a heavy defeat in Palestine and some rumblings from Anatolia...

Sources for this episode:

• Bevan, E. R. (1902), The House of Seleucus (Vol. I). London: Edward Arthur (eBook).
• Grainger, J. D. (2014), The Rise of the Seleukid Empire (323- 223 BCE), Seleukos I to Seleukos III. Barnsley: Pen & Sword Books Ltd. (eBook).

The title of this episode says it all. Today, we're going to be dealing with the fate of Antioch once Ptolemy III comes strolling over. Plus, we'll finally get to move Seleucus around a bit and see some divine justice being doled out by the weather system... Sources for this episode:

• Bevan, E. R. (1902), The House of Seleucus (Vol. I). London: Edward Arthur (eBook).
• Grainger, J. D. (2014), The Rise of the Seleukid Empire (323- 223 BCE), Seleukos I to Seleukos III. Barnsley: Pen & Sword Books Ltd. (eBook).
• Rosenberg, A. M., Rausser, S., Ren, J., Mosharov, E. V., Sturm, G., Odgon, R. T., Patel, P., Soni, R. K., Lacefield, C., Tobin, D. J., Paus, R. and Picard, M. (2021), Quantitative mapping of human hair greying and reversal in relation to life stress. eLife 10: e67437.
• Watson, J. S. (1853), on Attalus (date unknown), Justinus: Epitome of Pompeius Trogus' Philippic Histories (online) (Accessed 23/10/2023).
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Xanthippus (Spartan commander) (online) (Accessed 21/11/2023).

To mark the fiftieth episode of After Alexander, we're going to go back in time all the way to the first wars of the successors to focus on Alexander IV. Specifically, we will focus on a point in his life we didn't mention the first time around- Alexander the Little was married!

Sources for this episode:

• Berger, B. M. (1960), How Long Is a Generation? The British Journal of Sociology 11(1): 10-23.

• Bevan, E. R. (1902), The House of Seleucus (Vol. I). London: Edward Arthur (eBook).

• Geer, R. L. (1947), Diodorus of Sicily (Volume IX). Cambridge, Massachusetts and London: Harvard University Press and William Heinemann Ltd.

• Grainger, J. D. (2014), The Rise of the Seleukid Empire (323- 223 BCE), Seleukos I to Seleukos III. Barnsley: Pen & Sword Books Ltd. (eBook).

• Langhorne, J. and Langhorne, W. (1770), on Attalus (date unknown), Life of Demetrius (online) (Accessed 12/10/2023).

• Matsamura, S. and Forster, P. (2008), Generation time and effective popular size in Polar Eskimos. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 275: 1501-1508.

• Plutarch (1920), The Parallel Lives. Loeb Classical Library Volume IX. Reproduced by Thayer, B, University of Chicago (online) (Accessed 12/10/2023).

• Rawlinson, G. (1871), A Manual of Ancient History, From the Earliest Times to the Fall of the Western Empire. Comprising the History of Chaldea, Assyria, Media, Babylonia, Lydia, Phoenicia, Syria, Judaea, Egypt, Carthage, Greece, Macedonia, Parthia, and Rome. New York: Harper & Brothers, Publishers.

• Watson, J. S. (1853), on Attalus (date unknown), Justinus: Epitome of Pompeius Trogus' Philippic Histories (online) (Accessed 23/10/2023).

• Welles, C. B. (1962), Diodorus of Sicily (Volume VIII). Cambridge, Massachusetts and London: Harvard University Press and William Heinemann Ltd.

• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Aeacides of Epirus (online) (Accessed 12/10/2023).

• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Alexander I of Epirus (online) (Accessed 12/10/2023).

• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Alexander IV (online) (Accessed 12/10/2023).

• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Argead dynasty (online) (Accessed 12/10/2023).

• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Arybbas of Epirus (online) (Accessed 12/10/2023).

• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Deidamia I of Epirus (online) (Accessed 12/10/2023).

• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Demetrius I Poliorcetes (online) (Accessed 12/10/2023).

• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Neoptolemus II of Epirus (online) (Accessed 12/10/2023).

• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Philip II (online) (Accessed 12/10/2023).

• Author unknown, 23andMe (date unknown), Average Percent DNA Shared Between Relatives (online) (Accessed 12/10/2023).

It doesn't feel like that long ago that we were here last, but Syrian War III is here- seven years after the first settled on Syrian War II. Get ready to see Ptolemy III rampage through Syria and the Middle East in a way Egyptian kings haven't done since Thutmose III more than a thousand years previously. Something tells me it's not going well for the Seleucids...

Sources for this episode:

• Bevan, E. R. (1902), The House of Seleucus (Vol. I). London: Edward Arthur (eBook).

• Casson, L. (1993), Ptolemy II and the Hunting of African Elephants. Transactions of the American Philological Association (1974-2014) 123: 247-260.

• Drower, M. S. and Dorman, P. F. (2023), Thutmose III (online) (Accessed 23/10/2023).

• The Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica (2019), Horemheb (online) (Accessed 23/10/2023).

• Gilbert, N. (2010), African elephants are two distinct species. Nature.

• Gowers, W. (1947), The African Elephant in Warfare. African Affairs 46(182): 42-49.

• Gowers, W. (1948), African Elephants and Ancient Authors. African Affairs 47(188): 173-180.

• Grainger, J. D. (2014), The Rise of the Seleukid Empire (323- 223 BCE), Seleukos I to Seleukos III. Barnsley: Pen & Sword Books Ltd. (eBook).

• Mariette, A. (1892), Outlines of Ancient Egyptian History. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons.

• Murison, R. G. (1951), History of Egypt. Edinburgh. T. & T. Clark.

• Philips, A. K. (1977), Founder of the XIXth Dynasty? O: Cairo 25646 reconsidered. Orientalia 46(1): 116-121.

• Rawlinson, G. (1871), A Manual of Ancient History, From the Earliest Times to the Fall of the Western Empire. Comprising the History of Chaldea, Assyria, Media, Babylonia, Lydia, Phoenicia, Syria, Judaea, Egypt, Carthage, Greece, Macedonia, Parthia, and Rome. New York: Harper & Brothers, Publishers.

• Redford, D. B. (2003), The Wars in Syria and Palestine of Thutmose III. Leiden/Boston: BRILL.

• TED-Ed, YouTube (2014), The pharaoh that wouldn’t be forgotten (online) (Accessed 23/10/2023).
• Watson, J. S. (1853), on Attalus (date unknown), Justinus: Epitome of Pompeius Trogus' Philippic Histories (online) (Accessed 23/10/2023).

• Author unknown, The Calculator Site (date unknown), What is 5’2’’ in cm? (Accessed 01/11/2023).
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Battle of Raphia (online) (Accessed 23/10/2023).

We've dealt with Antiochus the Unfortunate, but now let's circle round to Egypt and deal with Ptolemy III. What were his motivations? How had his sister Berenice and her rival Laodice reacted to their husband's death? Most importantly- how does all of this connect to the upcoming Third Syrian War?

1) Bevan, E. R. (1902), The House of Seleucus (Vol. I). London: Edward Arthur. 2) The Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica (2019), Antiochus II Theos (online) [Access date unknown, c.22/01/2022]. 3) Grainger, J. D. (2014), The Rise of the Seleukid Empire (323- 223 BCE), Seleukos I to Seleukos III. Barnsley: Pen & Sword Books Ltd. (eBook) [Accessed 22/01/2022]. 4) Komnene, A., (2009), The Alexiad. London: The Penguin Group. 5) Justinus, Attalus (date unknown), Justinus: Epitome of Pompeius Trogus’ “Philippic histories” (online) [Access date unknown]. 6) Lendering, J., Livius (created 2006, last modified 2020), Berenice Phernophorus (online) [Accessed c.22/01/2022]. 7) Littlewood, I. (2002), The Rough Chronicle Guide: France. London: Penguin Group Ltd. 8) Rawlinson, G. (1869), A manual of ancient history from the earliest times to the fall of the Western Empire, comprising the history of Chaldea, Assyria, Media, Babylonia, Lydia, Phoenicia, Syria, Judea, Egypt, Carthage, Persia, Greece, Macedonia, Rome, and Parthia. Oxford: Clarendon Press (eBook) [Access date unknown]. 9) TED-Ed, YouTube (2021), How a concubine became the ruler of Egypt - Abdallah Ewis (online) [Accessed 07/08/2023]. 10) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown) Antiochus II (online) [Accessed c.22/01/2022]. 11) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Berenice II of Egypt (online) [Accessed 07/08/2023]. 12) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Berenice Syra (online) [Accessed c. 22/01/2022]. 13) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Demetrius the Fair [Accessed 07/08/2023]. 14) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Laodice I (online) [Accessed c.22/01/2022].

Introducing my newest venture- being one half of the Autocrat podcast! Autocrat is a podcast which aims to explore Roman civilisation from beginning to end. Beginning with the mythology and the stories of Aeneas and Romulus, the podcast will trace the journey through the Roman Kingdom, the Republic, the Empire and all the way to 1453 and beyond. Who knows if we'll make it that far, but we hope to have fun with it!

The podcast can be found at https://open.spotify.com/show/30Muilr1O66yA4UDcj76SW?si=891136d533c446a5 or on YouTube at youtube.com/@autocratpodcast. If the show sounds fun, feel free to come and join us!

Here at After Alexander, we go through the narrative of the Hellenistic Era chronologically without a focus on individual stories. However, if you feel like listening to a funny, well-sourced show which focuses on individual monarchs' stories, feel free to listen to the Alexander Standard. Taking after the Rex Factor started in 2010, the Alexander Standard ranks all the successors to Alexander III of Macedon from Perdiccas to Cleopatra VII. If you want a different take on the same story, feel free to give them a listen!

They can be found on:

• Gmail: alexanderstandardpodcast@gmail.com
• Twitter: @AlexStandardPod
• Facebook: The Alexander Standard Podcast
• Instagram: @alexanderstandardpod

This week, I thought we'd try a mathematical way to assess how stable the Seleucid dynasty has been so far. To do so, we're going to compare average reign length and longest reign length with other dynasties from history. Prepare for some well known names- including a cameo from the Sun King himself, Louis XIV of France...

Sources for this episode: 1) The Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica (2022), Constantine VIII (online) [Accessed 02/08/2023]. 2) Goldsworth, A. (2016), Pax Romana: War, Peace and Conquest in the Roman World. London: Weidenfeld & Nicholson. 3) Hussey, J. M., Encyclopedia Britannica (2023), Basil II (online) [Accessed 02/08/2023]. 4) Jones, D. (2013); The Plantagenets: The Kings Who Made England. London: William Collins (eBook accessed 03/08/2023). 5) Littlewood, I. (2002), The Rough Guide Chronicle: France. London: Penguin Group Ltd. 6) Norwich, J. J. (2013), A Short History of Byzantium. London: Penguin Books Ltd. 7) Van Loo, B. (translated by Forest-Flier, N.) (2019, translated 2021), The Burgundians, A Vanished Empire- A History of 1111 Years and One Day. Head of Zeus Ltd. 8) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Constantine VIII (online) [Accessed 02/08/2023]. 9) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Elizabeth II (online) [Accessed 02/08/2023). 10) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), House of Valois-Burgundy (online) [Accessed 03/08/2023]. 11) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), List of longest-reigning monarchs (online) [Accessed 03/08/2023].

Hello everyone, just a quick note that the YouTube comments are active on all videos and in the community tab. Feel free to drop me a line there as an alternative to the show's email address and stay tuned for extra features such as polls in future!

This week, we're going to witness some of the fallout from the death of Antiochus II in 248 BCE. We don't just have one new monarch Seleucus II, but we have three- his full brother Antiochus Hierax will come to claim the crown from Anatolia and there is his half-brother Antiochus the Younger (the son of Berenice Syra) to contend with as well. Seleucus II will have to deal with the chaos of multiple people claiming the crown, as well as the stage being set for the Third Syrian War...

Sources for this episode: 1) Bevan, E. R. (1902), The House of Seleucus (Vol. I). London: Edward Arthur. 2) The Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica (2019), Antiochus II Theos (online) [Accessed c.22/01/2022]. 3) Grainger, J. D., (2014), The Rise of the Seleukid Empire (323- 223 BCE), Seleukos I to Seleukos III. Barnsley: Pen & Sword Books Ltd. (eBook) [Accessed 22/01/2022]. 4) Lendering, J., Livius (created 2006, last modified 2020), Berenice Phernophorus (online) [Accessed c.22/01/2022]. 5) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Antiochus II Theos (online) [Accessed c.22/01/2022]. 6) Authors unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Berenice Syra (online) [Accessed c.22/01/2022]. 7) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Laodice I (online) [Accessed c.22/01/2022].

It's time for another mini-series! This time, we're going to look ahead to some scattered stories from Greek history in the centuries and millennia after the fall of the Hellenistic kingdoms. Today, we're jumping forward to the 1860s CE to witness how a Danish prince was chosen to be King of the Hellenes as Georgios I. His family ruled over Greek- with some intermissions- until Konstantinos II was deposed in 1973...

Sources for this episode: 1) Chisholm, H. (1911), 1911 Encyclopaedia Britannica (A-M). 2) The Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica (2023), George I (online) [Accessed 18/06/2023]. 3) Herrin, J. (2008), Byzantium: The Surprising Life of a Medieval Empire. London: Penguin Books Ltd. 4) Norwich, J. J. (2013), A Short History of Byzantium. London: The Penguin Group. 5) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Constantine I of Greece (online) [Accessed 20/06/2023]. 6) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Frederick VIII of Denmark (online) [Accessed 20/06/2023]. 7) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), George I of Greece (online) [Accessed 18/06 and 20/06/2023]. 8) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Greek royal family (online) [Accessed 18/06/2023]. 9) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Henri d'Orléans, Duke of Aumale (online) [Accessed 20/06/2023]. 10) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Seleucid empire (online) [Accessed 20/06/2023].

Hello everyone, Vince here with a quick update on how the podcast schedule is probably going to work from now on. I'm likely as not going to try out a monthly schedule- meaning that a new After Alexander will show up on the first Saturday of every month and a Biopedia on the third Sunday- although that may vary depending if I have more or less time for it in a given month. Who knows, there may well be more than one episode a month if I'm lucky!

There may also be some extra content in the 'Community' tab of the podcasts' YouTube pages as well. I'm trying this new schedule in order to walk the line between not releasing any content at all and burning out due to trying to juggle everything at once. I'm also releasing this update on Biopedia's feed.

We've left Antiochus II behind, but that doesn't mean we can't explore the family tree in more detail in the meantime! This week, we head back down memory lane to remind ourselves about the existence of Achaeus the Elder, younger brother of our founder Seleucus I. Achaeus was the progenitor of a family who will become more prominent in our story in future decades, and as such deserve some attention. So, get ready for an episode with far too many people called Laodice...

Sources for this episode: 1) Bevan, E. R. (1902), The House of Seleucus (Vol. I). London: Edward Arthur. 2) Grainger, J. D., (2014), The Rise of the Seleukid Empire (323- 223 BCE), Seleukos I to Seleukos III. Barnsley: Pen & Sword Books Ltd. (eBook) [Accessed 12/03/2023]. 3) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Achaeus (son of Seleucus I Nicator) (online) [Accessed 15/01/2022]. 4) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Alexander (grandson of Seleucus I Nicator) (online) [Accessed 05/03/2023]. 5) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Andromachus (son of Achaeus) (online) [Accessed 15/01/2022 and 05/03/2023]. 6) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Antiochis (online) [Accessed 05/03/2023]. 7) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Berenice Syra (online) [Accessed 25/05/2023]. 8) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Laodice I (online) [Accessed 05/03/2023]. 9) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Laodice II (online) [Accessed /05/03/2023]. 10) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Seleucid dynasty (online) [Accessed 05/03/2023]. 11) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Seleucid empire (online) [Accessed 05/03/2023].

With Antiochus II's death, it's time for a recap episode! For the third time in our series, we're sat around the metaphorical campfire, just as we did when we said our goodbyes to Seleucus I and Antiochus I. The empire may be transitioning from the third generation of Seleucid royalty to the fourth, but that doesn't mean we can't take a minute to reflect on the last fifteen years...

We're going to have to say goodbye to two rulers in this episode- first Ptolemy II and then Antiochus II will meet their ends and pass on the mantle to the next generation. In Egypt the crown passes to Ptolemy III who seems ready for another fight over Syria. However, the situation in the Seleucid realm is far murkier, with the peace agreement from a few years ago disinheriting Laodice's sons- at least theoretically- and cause of death differing between sources. All of this culminates in the two wives of Antiochus II declaring two of his sons king...

Sources for this episode: 1) Bevan, E. R. (1927), The House of Ptolemy, London: Methuen Publishing. Available at: LascusCurtis [Accessed 08/02/2021]. 2) Bevan, E. R. (1902), The House of Seleucus (Vol. I). London: Edward Arthur. 3) The Editors, Encyclopaedia Britannica (2019), Antiochus II Theos (online) [Accessed c.22/01 and 15/07/2022]. 4) Grainger, J. D., (2014), The Rise of the Seleukid Empire (323- 223 BCE), Seleukos I to Seleukos III. Barnsley: Pen & Sword Books Ltd. (eBook) [Accessed 22/01, 06/06 and 15/07/2022]. 5) Lendering, J., Livius (2006, last altered 2020), Berenice Phernophorus (online) [Accessed c.22/01 and 15/07/2022]. 6) Rawlinson, G. (1869) A manual of ancient history from the earliest times to the fall of the Western Empire, comprising the history of Chaldea, Assyria, Media, Babylonia, Lydia, Phoenicia, Syria, Judea, Egypt, Carthage, Persia, Greece, Macedonia, Rome, and Parthia. Oxford: Clarendon Press. (eBook) [Accessed 22/01/2022]. 7) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Antiochus II Theos (online) [Accessed c.22/01 and 15/07/2022]. 8) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Laodice I (online) [Accessed c.22/01/2022].

We return to the narrative with the introduction of Berenice Phernophorus, the daughter of Ptolemy II and the younger sister of Ptolemy III. Our story today takes us through the disagreements surrounding the details of the end of the Second Syrian War, the birth of yet another prince called Antiochus- and sets the stage for the last chapter in the reign of Antiochus II...

Sources for this episode: 1) Bevan, E. R. (1902), The House of Seleucus (Vol. I). London: Edward Arthur. 2) Bevan, E. R. (1927), The House of Ptolemy, London: Methuen Publishing. Available at: LascusCurtis [Accessed 08/02/2021]. 3) The Editors, Encyclopaedia Britannica (2019), Antiochus II Theos (online) [Date of access uncertain, possibly c.18/01/2022]. 4) Grainger, J. D., (2014), The Rise of the Seleukid Empire (323- 223 BCE), Seleukos I to Seleukos III. Barnsley: Pen & Sword Books Ltd. (eBook) [Accessed 16/01/2022]. 5) Heinen, H., Encyclopaedia Britannica (2019), Ptolemy II Philadelphus (online) [Accessed 03/08/2021]. 6) Lendering, J., Livius (2006, last altered 2020), Berenice Phernophorus (online) [Accessed 15/01/2022]. 7) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Antiochus II Theos (online) [Accessed c.21/04/2021]. 8) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Berenice (Seleucid queen) (online) [Accessed 23/12/2021]. 9) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Laodice I (online) [Date of access uncertain, possibly c.21/04/2022]. 10) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Ptolemy II Philadelphus (online) [Accessed 23/12/2021].

Jumping back west from our examination of Bactria and the Parthians over in the east, today we're back in west. Antiochus II made two marriage alliances which we haven't really discussed at length before. So, today, let's examine the marriages of two women called Stratonice- a sister and a daughter of the king.

Sources for this episode: 1) Bevan, E. R. (1902), The House of Seleucus (Vol. I). London: Edward Arthur. 2) Grainger, J. D., (2014), The Rise of the Seleukid Empire (323- 223 BCE), Seleukos I to Seleukos III. Barnsley: Pen & Sword Books Ltd. (eBook) [Accessed 04/01/2021]. 3) Lendering, J., Livius (2007, last modification 2020), Ariarathes III (online) [Accessed 01/08/2021]. 4) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Apama III (online) [Accessed 18/11/2021]. 5) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Ariaramnes of Cappadocia (online) [Accessed 01/08/2021, 18/11/2021 and 22/11/2021]. 6) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Ariarathes I of Cappadocia (online) [Accessed 22/11/2021]. 7) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Ariarathes II of Cappadocia (online) [Accessed 01/08/2021]. 8) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Ariarathes III of Cappadocia (online) [Accessed 01/08/2021]. 9) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Ariarathes IV of Cappadocia (online) [Accessed 18/11/2021]. 10) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Battle of Pelusium (343 BCE) (online) [Accessed 22/11/2021]. 11) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Berenice (Seleucid queen) (online) [Accessed 22/11 and 23/11/2021]. 12) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown) Demetrius II Aetolicus (online) [Accessed 05/08/2021 and 18/11/2021]. 13) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), List of rulers of Cappadocia (online) [Accessed 22/11/2021] 14) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Stratonice of Cappadocia (online) [Accessed 01/08/2021 and 18/11/2021]. 15).Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Stratonice of Macedon (online) [Accessed 18/11/2021]. 16) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Suzerainty (online) [Accessed 22/11/2021].

It's time to welcome a new group onto the Hellenistic stage which we haven't really dealt with before but will have ample reason to in the future- the Parthians! As they were first mentioned in episode 41 in the context of the eastern satrapies, this episode is going to introduce them properly. Along the way, we'll also explore the battle of Gaugamela, welcome some familiar names back for one-episode cameos and jump forward in time a bit to discuss the foundation of the Parthian Empire under Arsaces I...

Sources for this episode: 1) Bloom, J. and Blair, S. (2001), Islam: Empire of Faith. London: BBC Worldwide Ltd. 2) Doughterty, M. J., ed. (2012), 100 Battles. Bath: Parragon. 3) The Editors, Encyclopaedia Britannica (2016), Andragoras (online) [Accessed c.12/08/2021]. 4) The Editors, Encyclopaedia Britannica (2019), Parni (online) [Accessed c.12/08/2021]. 5) The Editors, Encyclopaedia Britannica (2020), Ten Thousand Immortals (online) [Accessed 17/10/2021]. 6) Ghirshman, R., Dresden, M. J., Bivar, A. D. H. and Young, T. C., Encyclopaedia Britannica (2018), ancient Iran (online) [Accessed c.12/08/2021 and 30/10/2021]. 7) Lendering, J., Livius (1996, last changed 2020), Parthian Empire (online) [Accessed 12/08/2021]. 8) Olbrycht, M. J. (2015), Arsacid Iran and the Nomads of Central Asia - Ways of Cultural Transfer. Chapter in: Bemmann, J., Schmauder, S. (eds)., Complexity of Interaction along the Eurasian Steppe Zone in the First Millenium CE. Bonn Contributions to Asian Archaeology 7. 9) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Arsaces I of Parthia (online) [Accessed 10/10/2021 and 27/10/2021]. 10) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Battle of Gaugamela (online) [Accessed 27/10/2021 and 30/10/2021]. 11) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), List of monarchs in Persia (online) [Accessed 10/10/2021]. 12) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), List of Parthian monarchs (online) [Accessed 10/10/2021 and 27/10/2021]. 13) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Parni [Accessed c.12/08/2021]. 14) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Parthian Empire (online) [Accessed 12/08/2021]. 15) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Spitamenes (online) [Accessed 03/10/2021]. 16) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Syr Darya (online) [Accessed 17/10/2021].

What with everything that's been going on in the western portions of the Seleucid empire, the last time we had a prolonged spell with the eastern satrapies was during the conquests of Seleucus I and his campaign against the Mauryans in episodes 7 and 8. This week, we're going to pan back round to those neglected provinces to see what's been going on there. While there, we'll also be laying the groundwork for an independent kingdom that is going to form part of the final arc of our narrative- the Greco-Bactrian Kingdom...

Sources for this episode: 1) Chisholm, H. (1911, eBook 2016), The Encyclopaedia Britannica (A-M): A dictionary of arts, sciences, literature and general information (11th edition, A-M). New York: Encyclopaedia Britannica Inc. [Accessed 11/08/2021]. 2) The Editors, Encyclopaedia Britannica (2016), Diodotus I (online) [Accessed 10/08/2021]. 3) The Editors, Encyclopaedia Britannica (1998), Diodotus II (online) [Accessed 11/08/2021]. 4) Grainger, J. D., (2014), The Rise of the Seleukid Empire (323- 223 BCE), Seleukos I to Seleukos III. Barnsley: Pen & Sword Books Ltd. (eBook) [Accessed 04/01/2021]. 5) Rawlinson, G. (1869) A manual of ancient history from the earliest times to the fall of the Western Empire, comprising the history of Chaldea, Assyria, Media, Babylonia, Lydia, Phoenicia, Syria, Judea, Egypt, Carthage, Persia, Greece, Macedonia, Rome, and Parthia. Oxford: Clarendon Press. (eBook) [Accessed 02/03/2021]. 6) Young, T. C., Dresden, M. J., Bivar, A. D. H. and Ghirsham, R., Encyclopaedia Britannica (2018), ancient Iran (online) [Accessed 12/08/2021 and 19/08/2021]. 7) Author unknown, Our Baby Namer (date unknown), Diodotus Meaning (online) [Accessed 13/08/2021]. 8) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Antiochus Nicator (online) [Accessed 12/08/2021]. 9) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Antiochus II Theos (online) [Accessed 12/08/2021]. 10) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Arsaces I of Parthia (online) [Accessed 13/08/2021]. 11) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Diodotus I (online) [Accessed 10/08/2021]. 12) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown) Diodotus II (online) [Accessed 11/08/2021]. 13) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Greco-Bactrian Kingdom (online) [Accessed 10/08/2021].

For the first time since Antiochus I's flight westwards after his father's death in 281 BCE, we're going to see the Seleucids intervene in Europe and attempt to win back some territory on the other side of the Bosporus. Specifically, we're going to focus on Antiochus II's hostility with Byzantium (the settlement which will become Constantinople about six hundred years from now)- as well as a campaign fought in Thrace.

Sources for this episode: 1) Bevan, E. R. (1902), The House of Seleucus (Vol. I). London: Edward Arthur. 2) Ehrlich, B., Encyclopaedia Britannica (2021), Istanbul (online) [Accessed 01/08/2021]. 3) Grainger, J. D., (2014), The Rise of the Seleukid Empire (323- 223 BCE), Seleukos I to Seleukos III. Barnsley: Pen & Sword Books Ltd. (eBook) [Accessed 04/01/2021]. 4) Ilıev, J. (2013), The Campaign of Antiochus II in Thrace, History Studies International Journal of History 5(1): 211- 222. 5) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Cypsela (Thrace) 6) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown) Polyaenus (online) [Accessed 09/08/2021].

Round two of the scrap for Syria! Although my sources seem to be slightly uncertain about some of the details, the broad strokes of the conflict are agreed upon. So, today, let's discuss a conflict that will rage from the early to late 250s BCE- and which will also have implications for Antiochus II's rule in the east...

Sources for this episode: 1) Bevan, E. R. (1902), The House of Seleucus, London: Edward Arthur. 2) Bevan, E. R., Encyclopaedia Britannica (1911, edited by Hugh Chisholm), Seleucid dynasty. Available at: Wikisource [Accessed 18/06/2021]. 3) Bevan, E. R. (1927), The House of Ptolemy, London: Methuen Publishing. Available at: LascusCurtis [Accessed 08/02/2021]. 4) The Editors, Encyclopaedia Britannica (check date), Antiochus II Theos (online) [Accessed 21/04/2021]. 5) The Editors, Encyclopaedia Britannica (check date), Syrian Wars (online) [Accessed 30/07/2021]. 6) Grainger, J. D., (2014), The Rise of the Seleukid Empire (323- 223 BCE), Seleukos I to Seleukos III. Barnsley: Pen & Sword Books Ltd. (eBook) [Accessed 04/01/2021]. 7) Heinen, H., Encyclopaedia Britannica (check date), Ptolemy II Philadelphus (online) [Accessed 21/04/2021]. 8) Rawlinson, G. (1869) A manual of ancient history from the earliest times to the fall of the Western Empire, comprising the history of Chaldea, Assyria, Media, Babylonia, Lydia, Phoenicia, Syria, Judea, Egypt, Carthage, Persia, Greece, Macedonia, Rome, and Parthia. Oxford: Clarendon Press. (eBook) [Accessed 02/03/2021]. 9) Tunny, J. A. (2000), Ptolemy 'The Son' Reconsidered: Are there too Many Ptolemies? Zeitschrift fur Papyrologie und Epigraphik 131: 83-92. 10) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Antiochus II Theos [Accessed 25/05/2021]. 11) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Nicomedes I of Bithynia (online) [Accessed 01/08/2021]. 12) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Ptolemy II Philadelphus [Accessed 28/03/2021].

The Second Syrian War has begun! However, rather predictably, it will not simply be a contest between the Ptolemies and the Seleucids; the Antigonids are going to get sucked into the hurricane of battle as well. So, this week, we're going to recap the relationship between the Antigonids and the other major powers and discuss the alliance between Antigonus II and Antiochus II against their mutual enemy...

Sources for this episode: 1) Bevan, E. (1902) The House of Seleucus (Vol I.). London: Edward Arthur. 2) Grainger, J. D., (2014), The Rise of the Seleukid Empire (323- 223 BCE), Seleukos I to Seleukos III. Barnsley: Pen & Sword Books Ltd. (eBook) [Accessed 04/01/2021]. 3) Heinen, H., Encyclopaedia Britannica (2019), Ptolemy II Philadelphus (online) [Accessed 17/06/2021]. 4) Volkmann, H., Encyclopaedia Britannica (2019), Antigonus II Gonatas (online) [Accessed 15/06/2021]. 5) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Antigonus II Gonatas (online) [Accessed 19/06/2021]. 6) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Battle of Cos (online) [Accessed 19/06/2021]. 7) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Demetrius I of Macedon (online) [Accessed 15/06/2021]. 8) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Demetrius the Fair (online) [Accessed 15/06/2021]. 9) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Seleucus I Nicator (online) [Accessed 15/06/2021]. 10) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown) Stratonice of Syria (online) [Accessed 15/06/2021]. 11) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Syrian wars (online) [Accessed 19/06/2021].

Around 258 BCE, a Ptolemaic prince rebelled against Ptolemy II in Ephesus. His rebellion, in conjunction with a self-made dynasty called Timarchus, would ultimately fail, although the details of the prince involved, events themselves and. However, if we sweep aside the murky veil of time, we can see that the events after the rebellion lead directly to the Second Syrian War...

Sources for this episode: 1) Bevan, E. R. (1902), The House of Seleucus, London: Edward Arthur. Quote: p.175. 2) Bevan, E. R. (1927), The House of Ptolemy, London: Methuen Publishing. Available at: LascusCurtis [Accessed 08/02/2021]. 3) The Editors, Encyclopaedia Britannica (2019), Antiochus II Theos (online) [Accessed 21/04/2021]. 4) Grainger, J. D., (2014), The Rise of the Seleukid Empire (323- 223 BCE), Seleukos I to Seleukos III. Barnsley: Pen & Sword Books Ltd. (eBook) [Accessed 04/01/2021]. 5) Heinen, H., Encyclopaedia Britannica (2019), Ptolemy II Philadelphus (online) [Accessed 21/04/2021]. 6) Tunny, J. A. (2000), Ptolemy 'The Son' Reconsidered: Are there too Many Ptolemies? Zeitschrift fur Papyrologie und Epigraphik 131: 83-92. 7) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Antiochus II Theos (online) [Accessed 11/06/2021]. 8) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Condotierro (online) [Accessed 11/06/2021]. 9) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Ephesus (online) [Accessed 11/06/2021]. 10) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Miletus (online) [Accessed 11/06/2021]. 11) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Ptolemy II Philadelphus (online) [Accessed 11/06/2021]. 12) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Timarchus of Miletus (online) [Accessed 11/06/2021].

Today, we're going to return to a point we last covered in episode 27. Specifically, it seems that Ptolemy of Telmessus, the son of Lysimachus and Arsinoe II, is unlikely to have been elevated to co-king in Egypt. To find out why, we're going to have to uncover the life of the mysterious elder son of Ptolemy II and older brother of Ptolemy III, who had his shot at power before it all went wrong...

Sources for this episode: 1) Bevan, E. R. (1927), The House of Ptolemy, London: Methuen Publishing. Available at: LascusCurtis [Accessed 08/02/2021]. 2) Grainger, J. D., (2014), The Rise of the Seleukid Empire (323- 223 BCE), Seleukos I to Seleukos III. Barnsley: Pen & Sword Books Ltd. (eBook) [Accessed 04/01/2021]. 3) Tunny, J. A. (2000), Ptolemy 'The Son' Reconsidered: Are there too Many Ptolemies? Zeitschrift fur Papyrologie und Epigraphik 131: 83-92. 4) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), 'Ptolemy II Philadelphus' (online) [Accessed 14/05/2021].

Despite not having as much trouble with Anatolia as his father, Antiochus II is still going to face a not-inconsiderable struggle upon his accession. This week, we're going to explore the Chremonideian War which kept Ptolemy II occupied until 261 BCE, and introduce some of the underlying causes of the Second Syrian War...

Sources for this episode: 1) Bagnall, R. S. and Derow, P. S. (2004), Greek Historical Documents: The Hellenistic Period (2nd edition). C. The Period of Stability (276-221): 19. Chremonides' Decree, Oxford: Blackwell. Available at: columbia.edu [Accessed 06/06/2021]. 2) Bevan, E. R. (1927), The House of Ptolemy, London: Methuen Publishing. Available at: LascusCurtis [Accessed 08/02/2021]. 3) Grainger, J. D., (2014), The Rise of the Seleukid Empire (323- 223 BCE), Seleukos I to Seleukos III. Barnsley: Pen & Sword Books Ltd. (eBook) [Accessed 04/01/2021]. 4) Heinen, H., Encyclopaedia Britannica (2019), Ptolemy II Philadelphus (online) [Accessed 27/05/2021]. 5) Hornblower, S., Encyclopaedia Britannica (2020), ancient Greek civilisation (online) [Accessed 07/06/2021]. 6) Rawlinson, G. (1869) A manual of ancient history from the earliest times to the fall of the Western Empire, comprising the history of Chaldea, Assyria, Media, Babylonia, Lydia, Phoenicia, Syria, Judea, Egypt, Carthage, Persia, Greece, Macedonia, Rome, and Parthia. Oxford: Clarendon Press. (eBook) [Accessed 02/03/2021]. 7) Volkmann, H., Encyclopaedia Britannica (2019), Antigonus II Gonatas (online) [Accessed 27/05/2021]. 8) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Battle of Cos (online) [Accessed 27/05/2021]. 9) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Chremonideian War (online) [Accessed 07/06/2021]. 10) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Chremonides (online) [Accessed 06/06/2021]. 11) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Saronic Gulf (online) [Accessed 06/06/2021]. 12) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Syrian Wars (online) [Accessed 27/05/2021].

To get to know our new ruler, we're going to recap his life up until his accession in 261 BCE at the age of about twenty-five. In addition, I'm going to pan out for a bit and give a lightning quick summary of what the political situation is like in the eastern Mediterranean and the broader Hellenistic world. Then, next time, we'll plunge back into everyone's favourite pastime: war with Egypt! Well, it's something for Antiochus II to do...

Sources for this episode: 1) Bevan, E. R. (1902), The House of Seleucus (Vol. I), London: Edward Arthur. Quotes: p.169, 171, 172. 2) Rawlinson, G. (1869) A manual of ancient history from the earliest times to the fall of the Western Empire, comprising the history of Chaldea, Assyria, Media, Babylonia, Lydia, Phoenicia, Syria, Judea, Egypt, Carthage, Persia, Greece, Macedonia, Rome, and Parthia. Oxford: Clarendon Press. (eBook) [Accessed 02/03/2021]. 3) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Antiochus Hierax (online) [Accessed 25/05/2021]. 4) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Antiochus II Theos (online) [Accessed 25/05/2021]. 5) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Ashoka (online) [Accessed 25/05/2021]. 6) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Laodice I (online) [Accessed 25/05/2021]. 7) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Laodice (wife of Mithridates II of Pontus) (online) [Accessed 25/05/2021]. 8) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Manuel Erotikos Komnenos (online) [Accessed 28/05/2021]. 9) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Nabatean Kingdom (online) [Accessed 25/05/2021]. 10) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Seleucus II Callinicus (online) [Accessed 25/05/2021].11) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Stratonice of Cappadocia (online) [Accessed 25/05/2021]. 12) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Stratonice of Syria (online) [Accessed 25/05/2021].

In order to smooth over the transition from Antiochus I to Antiochus II, I'm going to take a moment to discuss a reference in Ashoka's edicts glorifying the emperor's spread of Buddhism, which may refer to either of the Seleucid kings given that only a name is present. However, this discussion will also allow us to return to the Indian subcontinent and pick up its history where we left off...

Sources for this episode: 1) Chisholm, H., Encyclopaedia Britannica (1911, Vol. I), Alexander II (king of Epirus). 2) The Editors, Encyclopaedia Britannica (2014), Bindusara (online) [Accessed 20/05/2021]. 3) The Editors, Encyclopaedia Britannica (2014), Deccan (online) [Accessed 20/05/2021]. 4) The Editors, Encyclopaedia Britannica (2015), Kalinga (online) [Accessed 20/05/2021]. 5) Smith, V. (1920), Asoka, the Buddhist emperor of India (3rd edition), Oxford: The Clarendon Press. Available at: Internet Archive [Accessed 20/05/2021]. 6) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Antiochus II Theos (online) [Accessed 20/05/2021]. 7) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Ashoka (online) [Accessed 20/05/2021]. 8) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Bindusara (online) [Accessed 20/05/2021]. 9) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Chandragupta Maurya (online) [Accessed 20/05/2021]. 10) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Devata (online) [Accessed 20/05/2021]. 11) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Sushima (online) [Accessed 20/05/2021].

So, for the second time on the show, we've come to the end of a sole ruler's reign. Antiochus I (reigned 281- 261 BCE) is dead, and his only surviving son Antiochus II will succeed him. But we're not there yet! This week, I'm going to recap everything we've talked about in the twenty years since Antiochus Soter came to power, and walk you through my pitch for his 21st century epithet- Antiochus the Troubled.

Sources for new material this episode: 1) Bevan, E. R. (1902), The House of Seleucus (Vol. I). London: Edward Arthur. Quote: p.169. 2) Grainger, J. D., (2014), The Rise of the Seleukid Empire (323- 223 BCE), Seleukos I to Seleukos III. Barnsley: Pen & Sword Books Ltd. (eBook) [Accessed 04/01/2021]. 3) Lendering, J. (2002, modified 2020), Arrian on the weddings in Susa (online) [Accessed 18/05/2021]. 4) Rawlinson, G. (1869) A manual of ancient history from the earliest times to the fall of the Western Empire, comprising the history of Chaldea, Assyria, Media, Babylonia, Lydia, Phoenicia, Syria, Judea, Egypt, Carthage, Persia, Greece, Macedonia, Rome, and Parthia. Oxford: Clarendon Press. (eBook) [Accessed 02/03/2021].

Bonus episode! We covered Alexander the Great's half-sister Thessalonica- the mother of Philip IV, Antipater II and Alexander V- way back in the early episodes of the podcast. After all, we've witnessed quite a bit of family scheming (which I'll come back to with a new perspective today). However, today's topic is going to take her story beyond her death in 295 BCE. In fact, her memory would live on in the form of a mermaid reported to ask sailors a question in the Aegean. Spoiler alert: you don't want to give her the wrong answer...

Sources for this episode: 1) Gerakiti, E., Daily Art Magazine (2020), Alexander the Great and His Mermaid Sister in Folklore (online) [Accessed 19/04/2021]. 2) Justinus, Epitome of Pompeius Trogus' Philippic Histories (books 16-20). Translated by Rev. J. S. Watson (1853). Available at: Attalus [Accessed 31/05/2021]. 3) Mitakidou, S., Manna, A. L. and Kanatsouli, M. (2002), Folktales from Greece: A Treasury of Delights. Greenwood Village: Libraries Unlimited. (eBook) [Accessed May-June 2021]. 4) Plutarch, (1920) the Parallel Lives (The Life of Pyrrhus 6) in: the Loeb Classical Library edition (Vol. IX). Proofread by Robert Thayer. Available at the University of Chicago [Accessed 31/05/2021]. 5) Author unknown, Royal Museums Greenwich (date unknown), What is a mermaid? (online) [Accessed 19/04/2021]. 6) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Aegean Sea (online) [Accessed 18/04/2021]. 7) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Aegeus (online) [Accessed 18/04/2021]. 8) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Antipater II of Macedon (online) [Accessed 18/04/2021]. 9) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Battle of the Crocus Fields (online) [Accessed 31/05/2021]. 10) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Nicesipolis (online) [Accessed 31/05/2021]. 11) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Philip IV of Macedon (online) [Accessed 18/04/2021]. 12) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Thessalonike of Macedon (online) [Accessed 18/04/2021].

As I hinted at with all the city-building going on in episode 29, Antiochus I is going back to Anatolia for one last time before we finish off his reign. Although it's the same venue, we won't quite be focussing on the same players as before. This time around, the impetus for conflict will be an effective declaration of independence by the state of Pergamon...

Sources for this episode: 1) Bevan, E. R. (1902), The House of Seleucus (Vol I.). London: Edward Arthur. Quote: p.168. 2) Bevan, E. R., Encyclopaedia Britannica (1911, edited by Hugh Chisholm), Seleucid dynasty. Available at: Wikisource [Accessed 18/06/2021]. 3) The Editors, Encyclopaedia Britannica (2019), Antiochus I Soter (online) [Accessed 19/03/2021]. 4) Grainger, J. D., (2014), The Rise of the Seleukid Empire (323- 223 BCE), Seleukos I to Seleukos III. Barnsley: Pen & Sword Books Ltd.(eBook) [Accessed 04/01/2021]. 5) Rawlinson, G. (1869) A manual of ancient history from the earliest times to the fall of the Western Empire, comprising the history of Chaldea, Assyria, Media, Babylonia, Lydia, Phoenicia, Syria, Judea, Egypt, Carthage, Persia, Greece, Macedonia, Rome, and Parthia. Oxford: Clarendon Press. (eBook) [Accessed 02/03/2021]. 6) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Antiochus Hierax (online) [Accessed 16/05/2021]. 7) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Antiochus I Soter (online) [Accessed 16/05/2021]. 8) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Antiochus II Theos (online) [Accessed 16/05/2021]. 9) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Eumenes I (online) [Accessed 16/05/2021].10) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Laodice (wife of Mithridates II of Pontus) (online) [Accessed 16/05/2021]. 11) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Seleucus II Callinicus (online) [Accessed 16/05/2021]. 12) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Stratonice of Cappadocia (online) [Accessed 16/05/2021].

Antiochus I's eldest son is a bit of a mystery to research; every source I've accessed so far seems to say something different... This week, we delve into the life and times of Seleucus, co-king from 275 to 266 BCE (approximate dates) who disappears from the story towards the end of his father's reign. As we'll see, he and his father probably didn't have the easiest relationship...

Sources for this episode: 1) Bevan, E. R. (1902), The House of Seleucus (Vol. I). London: Edward Arthur. Quote: p.169. 2) Bevan, E. R., Encyclopaedia Britannica (1911, edited by Hugh Chisholm), Seleucid dynasty. Available at: Wikisource [Accessed 11/04/2021]. 3) The Editors, Encyclopaedia Britannica (2020), Antiochus I Soter (online) [Accessed 11/04/2021]. 4) Grainger, J. D., (2014), The Rise of the Seleukid Empire (323- 223 BCE), Seleukos I to Seleukos III. Barnsley: Pen & Sword Books Ltd. (eBook) [Accessed 04/01/2021]. 5) Jérémy, C. (2020), The Mysterious Fall of the Coregent Seleucus: Triarchic Experiment and Dynastic Strife under the Reign of Antiochus I Soter. Historia 69(4): 408- 440. Please note: I've only been able to access the abstract for this. 6) Kosmin, J. (2014), The Land of the Elephant Kings. London: Harvard University Press. (eBook) [Accessed 03/04/2021]. 7) Lendering, J., Livius (2006, modified 2020), Antiochus I Soter (online) [Accessed 11/04/2021]. 9) Strootman, R. (2014), The Encyclopaedia of Ancient History (1st edition), p.473- 475. London: Blackwell Publishing Ltd. 10) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Antiochus I Soter (online) [Accessed 11/04/2021].

Today, we're going to take a moment to discuss the construction projects of Antiochus I. From founding new cities to restoring old ones, Antiochus was a very active ruler in terms of building and building works. As we'll see, Antiochus left quite a few traces behind for us to explore...

Sources for this episode: 1) Bevan, E. R. (1902), The House of Seleucus (Vol. I). London: Edward Arthur. 2) The Editors, Encyclopaedia Britannica (2020), Antiochus I Soter (online) [Accessed 10/01/2021]. 3) The Editors, Encyclopaedia Britannica (2015), Apamea Cibotus (online) [Accessed 22/04/2021]. 4) The Editors, Encyclopaedia Britannica (2019), Esaglia (online) [Accessed 22/04/2021]. 5) The Editors, Encyclopaedia Britannica (2007), Nabu (online) [Accessed 21/04/2021]. 6) Hirst, K. K., ThoughtCo (2018), The Royal Road of the Achaemenids: International Highway of Darius the Great (online) [Accessed 24/04/2021]. 7) Grainger, J. D., (2014), The Rise of the Seleukid Empire (323- 223 BCE), Seleukos I to Seleukos III. Barnsley: Pen & Sword Books Ltd. 8) van der Spek, B., Livius (2004, last modified 2020), Antiochus Cylinder (online) [Accessed 30/05/2021]. 9) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Antiochus Cylinder (online) [Accessed 30/05/2021]. 10) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Antiochus I Soter (online) [Accessed 22/04/2021]. 11) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Babylonian revolts (484 BCE) (online) [Accessed 22/04/2021]. 12) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Borsippa (online) [Accessed 22/04/2021]. 13) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Seleucus I Nicator (online) [Accessed 22/04/2021]. 14) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Third Dynasty of Ur (online) [Accessed 22/04/2021]. 15) Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Xerxes I (online) [Accessed 22/04/2021].

As we discussed last episode, Antiochus I and Ptolemy II are about to go to war. The reason for this? The rebel king Magas, who was originally a governor of Cyrenaica- to the west of Egypt- but declared himself a king in 275 BCE. This suited his father-in-law Antiochus down to the ground, as he may well have been looking for an excuse to invade the province anyway...

Sources for this episode:

• Bevan, E. R. (1902), The House of Seleucus (Vol I.). London: Edward Arthur. Quotes: p. 147- 148, 156, 157.
• Bevan, E. R., Encyclopaedia Britannica (1911, edited by Hugh Chisholm), Seleucid dynasty. Available at: Wikisource [Accessed 18/06/2021].
• Bevan, E. R. (1927), The House of Ptolemy, London: Methuen Publishing. Available at: LascusCurtis [Accessed 08/02/2021].
• The Editors, Encyclopaedia Britannica (2020), Antiochus I Soter (online) [Accessed 03/04/2021].
• The Editors, Encyclopaedia Britannica (2018), Syrian Wars (online) [Accessed 18/06/2021].
• Grainger, J. D., 2014, The Rise of the Seleukid Empire (323- 223 BCE), Seleukos I to Seleukos III. Barnsley: Pen & Sword Books Ltd. (eBook) [Accessed 04/01/2021].
• Rawlinson, G. (1869) A manual of ancient history from the earliest times to the fall of the Western Empire, comprising the history of Chaldea, Assyria, Media, Babylonia, Lydia, Phoenicia, Syria, Judea, Egypt, Carthage, Persia, Greece, Macedonia, Rome, and Parthia. Oxford: Clarendon Press. (eBook) [Accessed 02/03/2021].
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Antiochus I Soter (online) [Accessed 03/04/2021].
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Arcesilaus IV of Cyrene (online) [Accessed 04/04/2021].
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Battle of Cos (online) [Accessed 18/06/2021].
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Magas of Cyrene (online) [Accessed 03/04/2021].
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Philetaerus (online) [Accessed 04/04/2021].
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Syrian Wars (online) [Accessed 18/06/2021].

This week, we take a step back to discuss what's been going on in Egypt while we've been looking at the Seleucid narrative. To do this, we're going to dive into the infighting, cultural conflicts and rivalries of the Ptolemies...

Sources for this episode:

• Bennett, C., Egyptian Royal Genealogy (date unknown), Berenice I (online) [Accessed 17/06/2021].
• Bevan, E. (1902) The House of Seleucus (Vol I.). London: Edward Arthur.
• Bevan, E. R. (1927), The House of Ptolemy, London: Methuen Publishing. Available at: LascusCurtis [Accessed 08/02/2021].
• Heinen, H., Encyclopaedia Britannica (2019), Ptolemy II Philadelphus (online) [Accessed 17/06/2021].
• The Editors, Encyclopaedia Britannica (2019), Berenice I (online) [Accessed 28/03/2021].
• Pallardy, R., Encyclopaedia Britannica (2020), Arsinoe II (online) [Accessed 28/03/2021].
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Antigone of Macedon (online) [Accessed 17/06/2021].
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Arsinoe I (online) [Accessed 28/03/2021].
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Arsinoe II (online) [Accessed 28/03/2021].
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Battle of Cos (online) [Accessed 19/06/2021].
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Berenice I of Egypt (online) [Accessed 28/03/2021].
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Lagus (online) [Accessed 17/06/2021].
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Lysimachus (online) [Accessed 28/03/2021].
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Magas of Cyrene (online) [Accessed 28/03/2021].
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Menelaus (online) [Accessed 17/06/2021].
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Ptolemy II Philadelphus (online) [Accessed 28/03/2021].
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Thais (online) [Accessed 17/06/2021].
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Theocritus (online) [Accessed 17/06/2021].
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Tutankhamun (online) [Accessed 17/06/2021]. 

The Antigonids are back! This time, we'll witness Antigonus II re-establish his control over Macedon and marry the daughter of Seleucus and Stratonice- reaffirming the alliance between the Seleucids and the Antigonids. Just in time, too- as happens pretty much constantly during the Hellenistic period, war is about to break out again with Egypt...

Sources for this episode:

• Bevan, E. R. (1902), The House of Seleucus (Vol. I). London: Edward Arthur. Quote: p.145.
• Grainger, J. D., (2014), The Rise of the Seleukid Empire (323- 223 BCE), Seleukos I to Seleukos III. Barnsley: Pen & Sword Books Ltd. (eBook) [Accessed 04/01/2021].
• Rawlinson, G. (1869) A manual of ancient history from the earliest times to the fall of the Western Empire, comprising the history of Chaldea, Assyria, Media, Babylonia, Lydia, Phoenicia, Syria, Judea, Egypt, Carthage, Persia, Greece, Macedonia, Rome, and Parthia. Oxford: Clarendon Press. (eBook) [Accessed 02/03/2021].
• Volkmann, H., Encyclopaedia Britannica (2019) Antigonus II Gonatas (online) [Accessed 27/03/2021].
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Antigonus II Gonatas (online) [Accessed 27/03/2021].
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Apama II (online) [Accessed 27/03/2021].
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Berenice I of Egypt (online) [Accessed 27/03/2021].
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Demetrius II Aetolicus (online) [Accessed 27/03/2021].
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Magas of Cyrene (online) [Accessed 27/03/2021].
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Stratonice of Syria (online) [Accessed 14/07/2021].

Around the time of the Gallic invasion of Europe under Brennus in 278, a group of Gauls under Leonnorius or Lutarius headed east to Thrace. This wouldn't have been a problem for the Seleucids, had Nicomedes of Bithynia- the head of the anti-Seleucid coalition- not invited the Gauls into Anatolia. This week, Antiochus has to deal with the consequences...

Sources for this episode:

• Bevan, E. R., (1902), The House of Seleucus (Vol. I). London: Edward Arthur. Quotes: p.137, 138, 139.
• Bevan, E. R. (1927), The House of Ptolemy, London: Methuen Publishing. Available at: LascusCurtis [Accessed 08/02/2021].
• The Editors, Encyclopaedia Britannica (2020), Antiochus I Soter (online) [Accessed 26/03/2021].
• Strootman, R. (2013), Antiochus I Soter. The Encyclopaedia of Ancient History (1st edition), p.473- 475. London: Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Antiochus I Soter (online) [Accessed 26/03/2021].
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Leonnorius (online) [Accessed 23/03/2021].
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Nicomedes I of Bithynia (online) [Accessed 23/03/2021].
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Seleucus II Callinicus (online) [Accessed 26/03/2021].
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Zipoetes II of Bithynia (online) [Accessed 23/03/2021].

NOTE: The Encyclopaedia Britannica states that the Gauls crossed over into Anatolia independent of their enlistment by the anti-Seleucid league. However, as I haven't seen this interpretation elsewhere, I've not included this in the main narrative.

When we left Anatolia, Antiochus was battling against the anti-Seleucid league centred on Nicomedes I of Bithynia and the city of Heraclea. This conflict would ultimately see one side recruit the help of a group of new arrivals- the Celts. However, as ancient Rome will discover in the fifth century CE, it's extraordinarily difficult to control such recruited groups afterwards...

Sources for this episode:

• Bevan, E. R. (1902), The House of Seleucus (Vol. I). London: Edward Arthur. Quotes: p.136, 137.
• Diodorus Siculus, Library of History: Fragments of Book XXII. Available at: LascusCurtis [Accessed 19/03/2021].
• The Editors, Encyclopaedia Britannica (2019), Antiochus I Soter (online) [Accessed 19/03/2021].
• The Editors, Encyclopaedia Britannica (2015), Brennus, Gallic leader (online) [Accessed 19/03/2021].
• Rawlinson, G. (1869) A manual of ancient history from the earliest times to the fall of the Western Empire, comprising the history of Chaldea, Assyria, Media, Babylonia, Lydia, Phoenicia, Syria, Judea, Egypt, Carthage, Persia, Greece, Macedonia, Rome, and Parthia. Oxford: Clarendon Press. (eBook) [Accessed 02/03/2021].
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Battle of Lysimachia (online) [Accessed 20/03/2021].
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Brennus (online) [Accessed 19/03/2021].
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Meleager (king) (online) [Accessed 27/03/2021].
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Ptolemy Epigonos (online) [Accessed 19/03/2021].
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Sosthenes (online) [Accessed 19/03/2021].

Hi everyone!

I recently stumbled across a YouTube channel which makes facial reconstructions of ancient figures (e.g.: Caligula) along with a little context about the rulers/period being covered. The link to the channel is: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgokSYCEqZE_yVLswO1vPXg and the owner/creator has given me kind permission to show you the reconstructions of people relevant to us. So, when a relevant episode comes up for the first time, I'll add an image of their facial reconstruction to the episode post on the website. For example, when we discuss what's been going on in Egypt, there'll be a representation of Ptolemy I, who we recently finished covering.

Not every ruler has their own reconstruction, but I thought it would be interesting to have a bit of variety from statues and coins.

That's it from me, see you all next episode!

Antiochus I faced a difficult situation when his father died, as indicated by today's episode title- an extract from Rudyard Kipling's poem 'If'. The great distance messengers had to travel to notify Antiochus of the western situation following his father's death meant that others had already begun carving out their own piece of the pie again. Yes, Seleucus has an obvious heir where Alexander did not, but that doesn't mean that the Hellenistic world isn't going to descend from unity into anarchy once again...

Sources for this episode:

• Bevan, E. R. (1902), The House of Seleucus (Vol. I). London: Edward Arthur. Quote: p. 75- 76.
• Bevan, E. R. (1927), The House of Ptolemy, London: Methuen Publishing. Available at: LascusCurtis (online) [Accessed 08/02/2021].
• The Editors, Encyclopaedia Britannica (2020), Antiochus I Soter (online) [Accessed 11/03/2021].
• Kipling, R. (1949) The Definitive Edition of Rudyard Kipling verse. Edinburgh: R. & R. Clark Ltd. (Printed for Hodder and Stoughton Ltd. in London). Quote: p. 576.
• Rawlinson, G. (1869) A manual of ancient history from the earliest times to the fall of the Western Empire, comprising the history of Chaldea, Assyria, Media, Babylonia, Lydia, Phoenicia, Syria, Judea, Egypt, Carthage, Persia, Greece, Macedonia, Rome, and Parthia. Oxford: Clarendon Press. (eBook) [Accessed 02/03/2021].
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Antiochus I Soter (online) [Accessed 10/03/2021].
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Antigonus II Gonatas (online) [Accessed 10/03/2021].
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Arsinoe II (online) [Accessed 10/03/2021].
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Attalid dynasty (online) [Accessed 10/03/2021].
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Bithynia (online) [Accessed 10/03/2021].
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Cappadocia (online) [Accessed 10/03/2021].
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Kingdom of Pontus (online) [Accessed 10/03/2021].
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Pergamon (online) [Accessed 10/03/2021].
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Philetaerus (online) [Accessed 10/03/2021].
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Zipoetes I of Bithynia (online) [Accessed 10/03/2021].

A brief overview of what the Hellenistic would have looked like in 281 when we left our narrative in episode 16. Despite the near reunification Seleucus had achieved, his son Antiochus is going to inherit a difficult position...

This episode builds on information in previous episodes. Additional sources for this episode:

• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), List of ancient Macedonians (online) [Accessed 04/03/2021].
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Seleucus I Nicator (online) [Accessed 10/01/2021].

Before we ease ourselves back into the main narrative again, I thought it would be a good idea to catch up with the life and times of Antiochus I until he acceded to the throne in 281 BCE. Then next week, we'll look around the world in 281 before plunging back into the hectic fight to keep Seleucus' ambition alive.

Sources for this episode:

• Bevan, E. R. (1902), The House of Seleucus (Vol. I). London: Edward Arthur.
• The Editors, Encyclopaedia Britannica (2020), Antiochus I Soter (online) [Accessed 10/01/2021].
• Grainger, J. D., (2014), The Rise of the Seleukid Empire (323- 223 BCE), Seleukos I to Seleukos III. Barnsley: Pen & Sword Books Ltd. (eBook) [Accessed 04/01/2021].
• Kosmin, J. (2014), The Land of the Elephant Kings. London: Harvard University Press. (eBook) [Accessed 03/04/2021].
• Lendering. J., Livius (2006, modified 2020), Antiochus I Soter (online) [Accessed 18/03/2021].
• Strootman, R. (2014), The Encyclopaedia of Ancient History (1st edition), p.473- 475. London: Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Antiochus I Soter (online) [Accessed 28/02/2021].
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Stratonice (online) [Accessed 28/02/2021].

Continuing with our theme of less well known civilisations, today we're going to discuss the Nabateans- a Bedouin people who created a kingdom in Arabia and the Sinai peninsula around the time of the Successors, which would last until the eastern conquests of Trajan in 106 CE. Perhaps their most famous monument in the western world is the city carved into the rock at their capital, Petra. However, we've not going to delve very far into their history; as fun as that would be, there's just too much to cover. Instead, we're going to cover their run-in with the former head honchos of the Successors- Antigonus and Demetrius...

Sources for this episode:

• The Editors, Encyclopaedia Britannica (2019), Nabatean (online) [Accessed 26/02/2021].
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Nabatean Kingdom (online) [Accessed 26/02/2021].
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Nabateans (online) [Accessed 26/02/2021].
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Petra (online) [Accessed 26/02/2021].

India would be one of the last bastions of the Hellenistic kingdoms, which would survive for forty years after the collapse of Ptolemaic Egypt. However, the shadow Alexander the Great cast over the subcontinent would extend further than mere territory. From religion to cosmology, the influence left by the Yavanas would be profound...

Sources for this episode:

• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Alexander the Great (online) [Accessed 25/03/2021].
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Bodhisattva (online) [Accessed 25/03/2021].
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Menander I (online) [Accessed 25/03/2021].
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Milinda Panha (online) [Accessed 25/03/2021].

Epirus- a small kingdom around what is now Albania- has been mentioned a few times on the show, but has always been on the political fringes. As such, It's been covered in nowhere near as much detail. So, join me on the third of our divergence episodes as we delve into the chaotic and complex history of Epirus. To those of you who have enjoyed hearing about the wars, infighting and shifting alliances of the Diadochoi, you've come to the right place...

Sources for this episode:

• The Editors, Encyclopaedia Britannica (2020), Pyrrhus (online) [Accessed 21/02/2021].
• Author unknown (1911), 1911 Encyclopaedia Britannica Volume 19, Neoptolemus. Available at: Wikisource (online) [Accessed 21/02/2021].
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Aeacidae (online) [Accessed 23/02/2021].
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Alcetas I of Epirus (online) [Accessed 23/02/2021].
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Alcetas II of Epirus (online) [Accessed 23/02/2021].
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Alexander I of Epirus (online) [Accessed 23/02/2021].
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Antigonus II Gonatas (online) [Accessed 23/02/2021].
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Deidamia I of Epirus (online) [Accessed 23/02/2021].
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Molossians (online) [Accessed 23/02/2021].
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Molossus (son of Neoptolemus) (online) [Accessed 23/02/2021].
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Neoptolemus (online) [Accessed 23/02/2021].
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Neoptolemus I of Epirus (online) [Accessed 23/02/2021].
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Neoptolemus II of Epirus (online) [Accessed 23/02/2021].
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Olympias (online) [Accessed 23/02/2021].
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Pyrrhus of Epirus (online) [Accessed 23/02/2021].

NOTE: I mention at one point that Neoptolemus' death is natural, but what I should have said is that my sources haven't indicated how he died. Also, I think I pronounced Aeacus wrong; I believe it should be said more like 'a-AA-kuss' or similar. The same then probably goes for Aeacides... Also, In case I didn't make it clear, Olympias was the daughter of Neoptolemus I.