Seleukos I (312-281) was the strongest among the Successors of Alexanderthe Great, and his territory extended as far as Thrace in the West andPakistan in the East for over a century. His kingdom reached a newpinnacle under Antiochos III (223-187), who combined military vigour withpolitical skill, but also bears responsibility for its harsh defeat at thehands of the Romans, the ascending superpower in the Mediterranean. Thisfailure did not yet trigger the dynasty's collapse albeit. It wasresilient and re-established itself as the leading power in the Near Eastunder Antiochos IV (175-164), who was able to maintain friendship withRome. Gradually, however, Seleukid rule was reduced to Syria or partsthereof by 129. The book tries to redress the balance of Seleukidweaknesses and strengths. Case studies either focus on power, politics andideology of the Seleukid centre, or on continuity and change in2nd-century Anatolia, Judaea and Babylon, before trying to integrate intoa braoder picture the factors that led to Seleukid disintegration.