The Seleucid Army
A Historical Guide

Recreating the
Army of Seleucid I

by Craig Tyrell

The army of Seleuecus (I) makes an interesting wargaming force. Following are some guidelines for recreating the force:

Historical Enemies: During his career Seleucus fought 4alast Anilgonos and Demetrios [Asiatic Early Successor - Book Two], as well as Lysimachus [Lysimachid - Book Two]. In addition. he campaigned against foes throughout the length of his realm, including Lydia [Mountain Indian, or Classical Indian - Bool Two]. Confrontations were likely also with Kappadokia [Ariarathrid Kappadokian - Book Two]. Armenia [Early Armenian - Book Two], the various Arab tribes and cities [Nabatacan Arab, or Later Pre-Islamic Arab Book Two], the Greek cities [Later Hoplite Greek - Book Two], the Skythians [Skythian - Book One] various Thracian tribes [Thracian - Book One].

Potential sub-generals: Seleucus' son Antiochos, who was 234 and commanded the cavalry of the allied left ay Ipsus; Patrocles, his governor of Babylonia during Demetrios' raid and later a renowned explorer of Central Asia.

Potential Allies: Although the published DBM 11st does not albw It, the obvious ally is Lysimachus [Lysimachid - Book Two] as at Ipsus (the published DBM lists class Seleucus as the ally of Lysimachus who was senior is debateable). Other plausible allies are Ptolemy [Ptolomaic Book Two] and possibly even Cassander [Macedonian Early Successor - Book Two] or Demetrios after Ipsus [Asiatic Early Successor Book Two].

Civic militia cavalry or Tarantines - Seleucus spent most of his reign founding settlements and new cities for his Macedonian and Greek followers throughout his realm. It is improbable that any civic militia cavalry would have been available to him before near the end of his reign. A couple of elements of Tarratines are certainly plausible at an earlier stage, so change the maximum from 0-6 to 0-2.

Elephants - Seleucus made very effective use of elephants at many of his battles. He employed very large numbers at Ipsus, and several other battles. It would be appropriate when fielding Seleucus I's arm change the elephant minimum from 0-5 to 2-5.

FURTHER READING:

If any of this catches your fancy, the following works provide a much more detailed look at this fascinating period:

"The House of Seleucus - A History of the Hellenistic Near East under the Seleucid Dynasty" by Edward R. Bevan (Ares, 1902 - reprint). The most comprehensive history available in English.
"The Seleucid Army - Organization and Tactics in the Great Campaigns", by Bezalel Bar-Kochva (Cambridge 1987). A fascinating look at the Seleucid army.
"Alexander to Antioch - The Historical Evolution of the Hellenistic Age", by Peter Green (University of California, 1990). Excellent, very readable overview of the whole Hellenistic era.
The Atlas of Classical History". edited by Richard J. A. Talbert (Croon Helm. 1991). Provides the geographic background required to understand the general histories.

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© Copyright 1995 by Terry Gore
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