People > Seleucus I Nicator
Seleucus I Nicator
Background
Seleucus I Nicator was one of Alexander's successors and successfully established the Seleucid Empire during the period of conflict known as the Wars of the Diadochi. The Seleucid Empire took control over the eastern portion of the vanquished Achaemenid Empire and survived until the territory was conquered by a dual assault from the Roman Empire and the Parthian Empire.
The Seleucid Empire was extremely important in bringing Greek and other cultures to the eastern portion of the known world in Asia and was responsible for helping to usher in the Hellenistic Period. The Hellenistic Period allowed the various cultures that were conquered under Alexander to assimilate with each other and exchange ideas and customs in a process known as cultural diffusion.