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The characteristic Julian pattern of {30, 31, 30, 31, 31} days in five months starts with months 7 and 12. The accuracy of the calendar as a solar calendar is therefore that of the Julian calendar. |
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The epoch of the calendar is 1 October 312 B.C. |
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9.7.4.2.1.2
Historical Background |
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To the Romans, the Seleucids were known as the kings of Syria, and this appellation has stuck in the calendric nomenclature. |
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The epoch of the calendar is the entry of Seleucus I Nicator into Babylon in 312 B.C. The date was used as the start of a Seleucid Era for chronological purposes. For a short history of Seleucus prior to his assumption of power, see section 9.7.4.1.1.2. in the Macedonian calendar. |
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The Seleucid dynasty ruled from 312 to 64 B.C. The empire was at its largest at its beginning with Seleucus I. At his death in 280 B.C., it included parts of Iran, Asia Minor, Babylonia, Mesopotamia, Syria, and parts of Thrace. |
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After the death of Seleucus I, several Greek cities in the Aegean threw off allegiance, and new states like Pergamum and Cappadocia emerged. Parthia, Bactria, and Sogdiana became independent after the middle of the third century B.C. Asia Minor was lost in the Treaty of Apamea in 188 B.C. following the defeat of Antiochus III by Rome and Pergamum. |
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After the death of Antiochus IV in 163 B.C., Commagene and Judaea emerged as independent states, and Bactria and Parthia made further territorial inroads. The complete failure of two expeditions to recover lost territories by Demetrius II (in 140139 B.C.) and Antiochus VII (in 130129 B.C.) left the kingdom reduced to Syria and eastern Cilicia. This area was held precariously until the end of the dynasty and annexation of the remaining territory by Rome in 64 B.C. |
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The Seleucids failed politically and militarily in attempting to hold their empire together, but they did make contributions in two areas: |
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Promotion of commerce, especially between central Asia, the Mediterranean, and by sea with India. |
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Introduction of a calendar with a comprehensible dating system and an era. The calendar was adopted by the Parthian kings after their conquest of the eastern provinces, and it remained in use in many other areas long after the disappearance of the Seleucid dynasty itself. |
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9.7.4.2.2. 9.7.4.2.4
Code on CD-ROM |
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See the SCDTL text on the CD for the discussion of the code. |
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