Seleucid

Seleucid designates the dynasty established by Seleucus I that governed a large Greek empire stretching from Anatolia to Mesopotamia and Iran. Centered on Greek political models and urban culture, Seleucid rule combined royal authority with local traditions across diverse regions. The empire promoted Greek language, cities, and institutions while managing varied populations through regional administration. In Jewish history, the Seleucid period is associated with political control of the Levant and conflicts over governance, culture, and religious practice, especially in the second century BCE.