Seleucus returns to Babylon 311 BCE | Wars of the Diadochi 13| Third War Pt 4 | History Documentary

Seleucus returns to Babylon 311 BCE | Wars of the Diadochi 13| Third War Pt 4 | History Documentary

In 311 BCE, Seleucus, with Ptolemy’s support, returned to Babylon with a small force. Despite being outnumbered, he successfully reclaimed his satrapy through a combination of military prowess, strategic manoeuvres, and the support of the local population. Meanwhile, Ptolemy, after defeating Demetrius at Gaza, continued his campaign in Syria, dispatching Cilles to confront Demetrius in Upper Syria.

After Demetrius’ surprise victory over Cilles, Antigonus joined him in Syria, prompting Ptolemy to retreat to Egypt. Antigonus then turned his attention to the Nabateans, sending Athenaeus to capture their cattle. Athenaeus’ attack on Petra was successful, but his subsequent camp was ambushed by the Nabateans, resulting in heavy casualties. Antigonus, acknowledging the Nabateans’ self-defence, sent Demetrius to attack again, but the Nabateans, forewarned, fortified Petra and repelled Demetrius’ assault.

Demetrius, sent by Antigonus to conquer Babylon, found the city abandoned and besieged the remaining loyalists. After a brief siege, he left Archelaüs to continue the assault and returned to Antigonus. Meanwhile, Antigonus, facing mounting losses, negotiated the Peace of the Dynasts with Ptolemy, Cassander, and Lysimachus, solidifying his control over Asia while excluding Seleucus.

After years of conflict, the Diadochi, except for Seleucus and Antigonus, avoided widespread fighting until 307. The next episode will cover the Babylonian War between Antigonus and Seleucus.

Sources:
Ancient:
Appian, The Syrian Wars
Diodorus, Library of History
Justin, Epitome
Plutarch, Demetrius



Modern:
Anson, Edward M.. Alexander's Heirs : The Age of the Successors, John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated, 2014. ProQuest Ebook Central,

Erskine, Andrew. A Companion to the Hellenistic World, edited by Andrew Erskine, John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated, 2003. ProQuest Ebook Central,

Meeus, Alexander “DIODORUS AND THE CHRONOLOGY OF THE THIRD DIADOCH WAR.” Phoenix, vol. 66, no. 1/2, 2012, pp. 74–96. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.7834/phoenix.66.1-.... Accessed 20 May 2025.

Parker, Victor. A History of Greece, 1300 to 30 BC : 1300 to 30 BC, John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated, 2014. ProQuest Ebook Central

Pietrykowski, Joseph. Great Battles of the Hellenistic World, Pen & Sword Books Limited, 2009. ProQuest Ebook Central,

Waterfield, Robin. Dividing the Spoils : The War for Alexander the Great's Empire, Oxford University Press, Incorporated, 2011.


Image Attribution:
Maps used are thanks to Google Earth, Data attribution on screen

Thumbnail: Bust of Seleukos I Nikator, Bronze, Roman, 100BCE-100CE at the Museo Archeologico Nazionale Naples AN 5590
By Allan Gluck - Allan Gluck, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index...

Images of Petra from Pixabay:
https://pixabay.com/photos/desert-jor...
https://pixabay.com/get/gb6d74afbd121...

https://pixabay.com/photos/siq-jordan...
https://pixabay.com/get/ge8f803d23e6c...

https://pixabay.com/photos/jordan-pet...
https://pixabay.com/get/g60d50a33bf85...