This is the first detailed study of the foundation, history, government, growth, and decline of the cities founded in Syria by Seleukos I in 301 B.C., shortly after the time of Alexander the Great. Focusing on the relationship between the kings and the cities in their kingdoms, Grainger reveals that former theories concerning such a relationship require drastic revision. He argues that neither the kings nor the cities intended the cities to be autonomous or independent, as they were far too reliant on royal support. Throwing fresh light on a most important period in ancient history, this study will be useful for scholars of Hellenistic, Roman, and ancient near-eastern history.

The Cities of Seleukid Syria

History

Grainger, John D.

Ancient Civilizations

Clarendon Press

The cultural history of the Phoenicians seems to have stopped short at the time of Alexander the Great's destruction of the city of Tyre, yet in truth, these people survived the destruction of their cities and the confiscation of their lands to enjoy long periods of peace and prosperity. This study pursues the themes of trade and economic history and shows how the adaptation of the Phoenicians to life in the Hellenistic world reveals a number of features common to that world as a whole, but also some which are distinctive to the Phoenicians themselves. The first full account of the Hellenization of Phoenician culture, this book will provide a new look at Hellenistic life for all interested in Roman and near-eastern culture.

Hellenistic Phoenicia

Syrian Influences in the Roman Empire to AD 300

Religion & Spirituality

Routledge

Great Power Diplomacy in the Hellenistic World

The imperial succession at Rome was notoriously uncertain, and where possible hereditary succession was preferred. John Grainger's detailed study looks at aperiod of intrigue and conspiracy. He explores how, why and by whom Domitian was killed, the rule of Nerva, chosen to succeed him, and finally Nerva's own choice of successor, Trajan, who became a strong and respected emperor against the odds. Perhaps most significantly Grainger investigates the effects of this dynastic uncertainty both inside and outside the ruling group in Rome, asking why civil war did not occur in this time of political upheaval. The last time a dynasty had failed, in AD 68, a damaging military conflict had resulted; at the next failure in AD 192, another war broke out; by the third century civil war was institutionalized, and was one of the main reasons for the eventual downfall of the entire imperial structure. Grainger argues that though AD 96-98 stands out as the civil war that did not happen, it was a perilously close-run thing.

Nerva and the Roman Succession Crisis of AD 96-99 (Roman Imperial Biographies)

Biographies & Memoirs

Historical

Seleukos Nikator (Routledge Revivals): Constructing a Hellenistic Kingdom

Following the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BC, one of his commanders, Seleukos Nikator, rose over a period of forty years from being a landless refugee to the most successful of the Successor kings. This biography, first published in 1990, makes use of both historical and archaeological sources to trace the stages of Seleukos’ life as he added province to province, kingdom to kingdom, gradually building an empire which stretched from India to Greece and founding a state which lasted for the next two centuries.  This strangely neglected figure in ancient history emerges as a modestly proficient general, an excellent strategist, a consummate diplomat, and an inventive and constructive ruler, the diversity of his empire demanding intelligence of a high order to hold it together. Seleukos Nikator will be of interest to students of ancient history and the politics of the Hellenistic world.

Following the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BC, one of his commanders, Seleukos Nikator, rose over a period of forty years from being a landless refugee to the most successful of the Successor kings. This biography, first published in 1990, makes use of both historical and archaeological sources to trace the stages of Seleukos’ life as he added province to province, kingdom to kingdom, gradually building an empire which stretched from India to Greece and founding a state which lasted for the next two centuries. This strangely neglected figure in ancient history emerges as a modestly proficient general, an excellent strategist, a consummate diplomat, and an inventive and constructive ruler, the diversity of his empire demanding intelligence of a high order to hold it together. Seleukos Nikator will be of interest to students of ancient history and the politics of the Hellenistic world.

Alexander the Great Failure: The Collapse of the Macedonian Empire (Hambledon Continuum)

Alexander the Great's empire stretched across three continents and his achievements changed the nature of the ancient world. But for all his military prowess and success as a conqueror, John Grainger argues that he was one of history's great failures. Alexander's arrogance was largely responsible for his own premature death; and he was personally culpable for the failure of his imperial enterprise. For Alexander was king of a society where the ruler was absolutely central to the well-being of society as a whole. When the king failed, the Macedonian kingdom imploded, something which had happened every generation for two centuries before him and happened again when he died. For the good of his people, Alexander needed an adult successor, but he refused to provide one while also killing any man who could be seen as one. The consequence was fifty years of warfare after his death and the destruction of his empire.The work of Philip II, Alexander's father, in extending and developing the kingdom of the Macedonians was the foundation for Alexander's career of conquest. Philip's murder in 336 BC brought Alexander to the kingship in the first undisputed royal succession on record. Alexander's campaigns achieved unparalleled success and the young king of Macedonia, leader of the Greeks, Pharaoh of Egypt, became Great King of Persia at the age of twenty-five.Alexander the Great's empire stretched across three continents and his achievements changed the nature of the ancient world. But for all his military prowess and success as a conqueror, John Grainger argues that he was one of history's great failures. Alexander's arrogance was largely responsible for his own premature death; and he was personally culpable for the failure of his imperial enterprise. For Alexander was king of a society where the ruler was absolutely central to the well-being of society as a whole. When the king failed, the Macedonian kingdom imploded, something which had happened every generation for two centuries before him and happened again when he died. For the good of his people, Alexander needed an adult successor, but he refused to provide one while also killing any man who could be seen as one. The consequence was fifty years of warfare after his death and the destruction of his empire.The work of Philip II, Alexander's father, in extending and developing the kingdom of the Macedonians was the foundation for Alexander's career of conquest. Philip's murder in 336 BC brought Alexander to the kingship in the first undisputed royal succession on record. Alexander's campaigns achieved unparalleled success and the young king of Macedonia, leader of the Greeks, Pharaoh of Egypt, became Great King of Persia at the age of twenty-five.

Continuum

The Fall of the Seleukid Empire 187–75 BC

Pen and Sword Military

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Books by Grainger, John D.

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Grainger, John D.. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

The Cities of Seleukid Syria

Hellenistic Phoenicia

Syrian Influences in the Roman Empire to AD 300

Great Power Diplomacy in the Hellenistic World

Nerva and the Roman Succession Crisis of AD 96-99 (Roman Imperial Biographies)

Nerva and the Roman Succession Crisis of AD 96-99 (Roman Imperial Biographies)

Seleukos Nikator (Routledge Revivals): Constructing a Hellenistic Kingdom

Seleukos Nikator (Routledge Revivals): Constructing a Hellenistic Kingdom

Alexander the Great Failure: The Collapse of the Macedonian Empire (Hambledon Continuum)

The Fall of the Seleukid Empire 187–75 BC