Sources on Seleukid beliefs

**Pelopidas** · 04-11-2007, 19:30

I'll be very glad if the EB team could show me all their sources about Seleukid religious practices, especially about the divinisation of Seleucos I...

I have already checked the list of EB historic sources, of course, but I must have missed the ones about the temple of Seleucos.

It would be very very helpfull...thanks in advance, and all my apologies for wasting your free time.

**Krusader** · 04-11-2007, 20:10

Most is from JSTOR.

Here is a tidbit on Seleukos I. Also on the following page.
http://www.ancientlibrary.com/smith-bio/3105.html

Remember that the description on him as a god is written from a Seleukid viewpoint, ie propaganda.

Marduk is a Babylonian god. We were limited by 6 gods so we took some important ones and some to distinguish them from other factions. However, it's fairly sure to assume that the Seleukid empire had a massive amount of gods.

**Pelopidas** · 04-11-2007, 20:20

I'm absolutly not questionning the number of gods !

In fact, I want to work deeper on the Seleucos god, and all help would be welcome.

I mean, work on it as a subject of historic research for the next year, in my own studies.

So I'm very interested about all sources on shrines of Seleucos and religious practices around this, if you have that :]

**Krusader** · 04-11-2007, 23:33

Originally Posted by Pelopidas

I'm absolutly not questionning the number of gods !

In fact, I want to work deeper on the Seleucos god, and all help would be welcome.

I mean, work on it as a subject of historic research for the next year, in my own studies.

So I'm very interested about all sources on shrines of Seleucos and religious practices around this, if you have that :]

By my understanding he was worshiped as a god, but I don't think to the same extent as other ruler cults. I think it was in Syria he had greatest influence and temples outside were probably just built and maintained by satraps wishing to show loyalty to the throne.

I'll dig deeper. Although there was some discussion if we were to include Seleukos as god or not.

**abou** · 04-11-2007, 23:42

If you can get your hands on From Samarkhand to Sardis it thoroughly explains the deification of Seleukos. Basically, what seems to have happened was that Antiochos I spread the myth about his father in order to establish a solid dynasty - and to do so so as to stand out from the other successors and Alexander. Whether they existed before Seleukos's death or not I do not believe is certain.

For a close analogy, look to what Augustus did to establish his dynasty by making sure Caesar was deified and then have the position of emperor worshiped.

**Teleklos Archelaou** · 04-12-2007, 00:51

There's a whole book on this. Religion and Religious Practices in the Seleukid Kingdom. Aarhus University Press. 1990. It's in English, but this is a Denmark press. It's a set of 11 articles on the subject.

**Pelopidas** · 04-12-2007, 08:03

I have taken this one yesterday, english is not a problem.
I was just thinking that you have more sources than what I can find directly in my university.

Thank you all !