#seleukos

[crowemoji]

[jeannereames]

Who is your favorite diadochos? Or at least the one you find more interesting. Both for History and when writing or reading fiction

Kleopatra and Kynanne. Hands-down. The maneuvering of both, either trying to stay alive or trying to marry off a daughter to the new king, was EPIC. And yes, I consider them as much Diadochi as any of the men. Out of that, I think Kynanne won, even if Hadea Eurydike was eventually killed by Olympias. Poor Kleopatra wound up a prisoner of Antigonos.

Women aside, it'd be Seleukos and Lysimachos. Ptolemy was full of himself and sucks up all the air in the room because Arrian used him as a source for Alexander. But apparently, his history/memoir wasn't that well-known in the ancient world. Kassandros is just ...ick. Perdikkas apparently wasn't that good as a regent, although how much is later smearing by Ptolemaic and Seleucid sources is unclear.

I'd say Krateros too, but he died so quickly, along with Leonnatos. Both outlived Alexander by only a year or two.

(And this is probably my last "ask" answer for the night. I have a real back-up in my inbox, so trying to clear out some.)

[azems-familiar]

the fourteenth seat.

i commissioned the ever-lovely @stellorc for this one - thank you so much ella dear, as always your work is absolutely stunning! (they/them pronouns only for Azem, please!)

alternate version with their sigil under the cut:

[sunderedazem]

14 - bitter

Ancients? :)

You KNEW what you were asking for. So have some Elidibus POV of Azem and Emet-selch's break-up before the Sundering.

-

There are shards of red on the steps, and utter silence in the square. He blinks. Etheriys feels a little like a dream now, with the soft roaring of so many souls dulling his senses- but this sting of sorrow and shame he feels, distantly. It aches in a way he's sure he's forgotten, almost. And yet he and all those within yet remember…

The people are watching (not saved- but soon) stricken, frozen - all but one, whose cowl hangs down his back, whose silver staff is still tight-gripped in white-knuckled fingers. Who is walking away with a snarl on his lips and tears streaming down his bare face. Who has before the entirety of Amaurot denounced the Convocation, who has accused them of forgetting their duty, who has- has accused him of bias- 

They had to save the star. They have to save the star. And He was their answer. Is their answer. The roaring in his ears will never cease, now. He thinks the stretch of his very self was a small price to pay for the blue of the sky. He knows it. He volunteered.

So many had. And yet-

Azem storms out of the city center with his staff aglow in Light, wreathed round himself like a shield against- something, and he does not look back. There is only the sway of his long white braid as he departs, and Elidibus- watches it. Watches the narrow shoulders and frail stature recede into the distance, until shattered and broken and burning buildings obscure him from sight completely. Watches as one of Themis's closest friends turns his back on Zodiark and all the salvation he promises.

Elidibus does not understand it. He- remembers. Azem had pleaded with the Convocation to stay Zodiark's summoning, to give him time to find an alternative. Half the lives of their people was too awful a price for him - and Elidibus cannot condemn him for that love he has for their star and people, cannot condemn him for his dissent. Azem is the Traveler - the Shepherd. It would go against everything his seat stands for to agree. Lahabrea had not agreed - nor had Pashtarot - but in the end, Elidibus could not be partial. And thus Azem was given his time to find another way. But should Amaurot begin to burn- then they would have to act.

But he returned too late. Three days too late. And his solution was…incomplete. An effort commendable, to be sure. A solution worthy of gentle praise, and perhaps use later. But the star had fallen to ruin, and Zodiark could restore it. And then- then the star could restore their people. And Zodiark would save them all. He would save them.

He will. No matter if one man refuses to understand. Elidibus and Zodiark will save him too.

No matter how bitter that salvation tastes.

There are shards of red on the steps. Emet-selch is kneeling among them, his hands shaking, gathering the pieces one at a time. He is not crying, Elidibus thinks. Not yet, at least. He seems more stunned than anything. Of course, he is not the only one, if the way the silence still rings deafening has any meaning.

Azem has always had a temper, though it was not often apparent. But this- this by far had been the worst outburst Elidibus had ever seen from anyone, let alone from Azem. And worst of all, it had been a willful misinterpretation- a cruel misinterpretation, made solely to make a point about their plans to sacrifice the lesser creatures of the star to return those given to Zodiark to life. And- and perhaps Azem even had a point, if a misguided one.

He had always been thin of aether, incapable of all creation magicks no matter how simple, and sickly for it besides. His elevation to the Fourteenth Seat had been long delayed by a discussion of his health and the risks posed to his own wellbeing, rather than any disagreement with regard to his temperament or accomplishment as a researcher and theorist both. But to use his own recurring illness - which Emet-selch had cared for him through countless times - as a bludgeon to say that the Convocation must therefore count him among those lesser creatures-

I too am thin of aether. Weak, sickly- imperfect. Incapable of creation. Are these the only requirements for you to be willing to slaughter living beings in order to undo the willing sacrifice of half our people? I gave you another option! Those who are thin of aether - thinner than me! - may use this dynamis to restore our star, and you dismiss their capabilities save for their worth as livestock? You swore to hearken unto my solution, Emet-selch- you promised me you would have faith I would find a way and now you- you reject what I have found in favor of dishonoring your seat and returning the dead to life? Fine then! I count myself among these lesser beings freely, for I am more akin to them than you. And should you wish to wet Etheriys with their blood, you will start with me. And you will draw the blade across my throat with your own hands.

But even if he had a point- Emet-selch had only stared, utterly lost for words. The entire square had been quieter than death. Even Zodiark had seemed to still. And then, caught in the folly of sentiment, Emet-selch had stepped forward, had reached out a hand, had called- 

Helios- Helios, please-

There had been a whirl of black, a flash of red- and then Azem's mask had shattered on the wall above Emet-selch's head, had shattered into shards of his office even as his sigil had glared red over silver eyes.

I am Azem,  Emet-selch. I revoke the privilege for you to call me by my personal name- not only do I not know this man you have become, but us lesser creations have no names to speak of, now do we?

Elidibus had not known how to stop him. Emet-selch had just dropped his hand, jerking a little as if he had been struck by a physical blow.

And then Azem had gone.

And now he is gone. And Emet-selch is on his knees, gathering the shards of that shattered mask, cradling them carefully, as if he could piece together what was broken. As if he could repair a heart threaded with thorns, or another cracked down the center. As if saving the mask would save the man.

“...he will come back,” Emet-selch whispers then, staring at the bitter, broken ashes of Helios in his hands. “...I- I will have that much faith in him.”

And Elidibus- and in Elidibus, the dark waxes strong, and he lays a hand on Emet-selch's shoulder. 

“Nay- we will save him, my friend,” he promises, and watches as golden eyes behind a red mask snap to him and glaze over. There is weight in his words now - the promise of a thousand thousand souls and the hope of their people. “We will save him, and the star as well. We will.”

The doubt and grief in Emet-selch's eyes disappears, wiped clean by faith. And Elidibus smiles, heart heavy with certainty and the knowledge that in time, Themis's dearest friends will mend the rift born between them here. They will save Azem - they will - and the star he so loves, and all the people too. Elidibus will not allow for any end other than perfect salvation. The bitterness of these sorrowful days will fade, and Azem will smile again, and look upon Emet-selch with that loving mischief in his eye, and this will all be but a distant memory. 

They will. 

He will make sure of it.

-

Enjoy the angst/keep the change ya filthy animal

[azems-familiar]

reblogging this again to add additional hilarious commentary from discord to this bit:

cc: @sunderedazem

What is the absolute stupidiest, most idiotic thing your WoL has ever done?

[scribl1ta]

2 more oc ref sheets!! already working on the next 2🥰

Simay (top) is the owner of the only kosher kebab house in the neighborhood and occasionally takes freelance sidequests, especially any that let her express her artistic talents or dress up in pastel eyeshadow. She is very good with cats, and they keep her establishment remarkably clean for the time period. Simay's only known personal enemy is a rival taverna owner who sometimes pulls cartoonish stunts to get her in trouble with the local Roman prefect and Health Inspection Services. She comes from Byzantium and already has a very lively backstory, although other characters often dismiss her. (I made her with + based on one of my friends from high school so if her name is more modern-sounding, that's why; this is also where she gets most of her style and personality, and the special cat that she takes care of.)

Seleukos (bottom) is a hopeless romantic, chronically unemployed, and the worst "poet" in Athens; but unexpectedly manages to ingratiate himself with the Emperor Hadrian, who believes his work is just kitsch and a lightly satirical critique of modern decadence. He finds another ally in the prefect, who bonds with him over their shared hatred of the main villain and superficial literary interest that is really an interest in lounging around and talking about boys. Seleukos' main goals-- artistic greatness and true love-- eventually come true in ways he never expected and might regret later.

They are usually involved in Chrysanthos' business against his will, but the duo's combined creative thinking, low social capital, and undying loyalty to each other become useful in the strange situations that they often encounter.

you can read and see more about the story and characters in the #my ocs tag!

[capelin356]

"Alexandros" by Yoshikazu Yasuhiko

This is a great manga! The story opens with the Battle of Ipsus and the recollections of the aged Lysimachos. Such stories may be rare.

In Japan, fiction about Alexander is more interesting in manga than in novel, including Japanese translations. Alexandros, Historie…

Hephaistion in this manga is an ordinary guy but very handsome and charming and I got to know him in this manga. In Japan, there are other avenues to like Hephaestion besides Oliver Stone's Alexander and Mary Renault's novels lol.

Other than him, Alexander's generals are also very charming! Especially Ptolemy, Seleukos and Lysimachos. They look a lot like their statues.

Probably there is no English translation, but the painting alone are worth seeing. Please read it!

[wishesofeternity]

"Antiochos’ and Stratonike’s activities in the eastern part of the [Seleukid] empire are largely shrouded in mystery, but, as Engels has argued, Antiochos was far from idle since he embarked on a large building programme and was active in securing the frontier. There is some evidence to suggest that his new bride accompanied him for much of this period. We can perhaps identify Stratonike’s presence with her new husband in the Upper Satrapies through the gold coinage minted in Susa and Baktria in c . 287. The two gold coin sets are of the same type, the obverse features the laureate head of Apollo facing right and the reverse features Artemis in an elephant biga facing left with the legend ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣΕΛΕΥΚΟΥ in exergue.

Figure 1: Coin of Seleukos I from Baktria Depicting Apollo on the Obverse and Artemis with Elephant Biga on the Reverse (Houghton and Lorber 2002, SC I no. 163).

Figure 2: Coin of Seleukos I from Baktria Depicting Apollo on the Obverse and Artemis with Elephant Biga on the Reverse (Houghton and Lorber 2002, SC I no. 257).

The reverse image of Artemis in the elephant biga is within the same design type as a large range of other coinage issued by Seleukos I celebrating the success of his elephants and thus his eastern campaigns. The appearance of Artemis is however unique to these coin types. This suggests the emphasis on the close links between the twin gods, Artemis and Apollo, depicted on the obverse and reverse of this coinage . Since there appears to be as a close link between Apollo and Antiochos as there is between Zeus and Seleukos, the presence of Artemis could be seen as a symbol for Stratonike. This would create a series of parallels: Seleukos/Zeus, Antiochos/Apollo, and Stratonike/Artemis. The first two reflect what we see for these two kings at the list of priests of Seleukid kings in Seleukeia in Pieria . Additionally, it may be notable that the sister-wife ideology [...] appears to be evident later in the reign of Antiochos.

As all of the Apollo/Artemis cointypes were produced on high value gold coinage, this suggests that it was issued in order to commemorate a significant event. While the type was similar to other Seleukid coinage, the shift from Athena to Artemis was clearly discernible and unique. The arrival of the new joint-King and Queen in the region to take up residence would have been a suitable moment for the issuing of the new coin type. This advertisement of their new rule certainly falls in line with Seleukos’ wedding speech which confirmed their new roles."

-David Engels & Kyle Erickson, "Apama and Stratonike – Marriage and Legitimacy", "Seleukid Royal Women" (edited by Edited by Altay Coşkun and Alex McAuley). The pictures of the coins are screenshots from the book.

[v1leblood]

a peace treaty has been agreed upon by seleukos and ptolemy. surely this will lead to a century of peace and friendship between the two dynasties and their subject nations

[shyclaws]

disagree listening to full albums is like art especially with bands like MCR and FOB also seleukos and Vylet Pony and mother mother and falcom sound team jdk and every other artist ever

slips are what playlists are for and also that's a bit sad idk

hmmm okay do u agree and if no, what album(s) are truly your "i listen to every song everytime" no-skips albums

[crowemoji]

[jeannereames]

I love your blog so much because it’s the only place where we can see Demetrios Poliorketes being called a dweeb! What are the reasons you think he’s a dweeb?

He'd have stunning triumphs only to follow them up with stunning failures. Even his nickname, "the Besieger" (what Poliorketes means in Greek) owes to his famous/infamous siege of Rhodes...which he wound up LOSING.

I suppose I see him as more hype than substance, sorta in contrast to Seleukos, who just quietly went about moving everybody out of his way. LOL

[alsadeekalsadouk]

Extremely rare and undoubtedly the finest known Bronze coin for phrygia . Apameia depicting The story of Noah after flood in #torah and #quran , stroke under Philip I, 244-249. Pentassarion (22.45 g), scripted : •AYT•K•IOYΛ•ΦIΛIΠΠOC•AVΓ• Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Philip I to right, seen from behind. Rev. Scripted ЄΠ M AYP AΛЄΞANΔP//OY B•APXI•AΠ/AMЄΩN• The story of Noah: on the right, half-length figures of Noah and his wife, in tunic and stola, standing left in square chest representing the Ark, inscribed NΩЄ and floating on waves; above to right, a seated bird; on the left, Noah and his wife standing left upon dry land, raising hands in supplication; above, a bird returning from land with olive branch in its talons. A magnificent example of this tremendously important issue, beautifully struck on a broad flan and preserving incredible reverse details. Insignificant flan fault on the obverse and with some very minor flatness on the reverse, otherwise, nearly extremely fine. #Apameia was founded by the Seleukid King #Antiochos I (281-261 BC) in honor of his mother #Apame, the daughter of the #Baktrian rebel Spitamenes and wife of #Seleukos I. The city was home to a #Jewish community, the ancestors of which were probably settled in the area by the #Seleukid general #Zeuxis , who deported 2,000 Jewish families from #Babylon to Asia Minor at the behest of Antiochos III 'the Great' (223-187 BC) (Jos. Ant. XII, 3.4). It was long believed that the astonishing emergence of the story of Noah on 3rd century AD coins of the Phrygian Apameia grew out of a supposed Jewish character of the city, but the literary sources are extremely sparse, and the fact that no Jewish names and only a single Jewish inscription are known from the local necropolis urges caution.. Sold for 240000 CHF. Ref. https://leunumismatik.com/web/PageHandler.aspx

#archaeology #history #ancient #ancienthistory #Orichalcum #antiquity #medallion #romancoin #romanarcheology #romanancientcoins #denarius #dupondius #follis #antoninianus #fils #alsadeekalsadouk #الصديق_الصدوق

[azems-familiar]

i commissioned @ectojyunk to draw Seleukos's transformation....had to work together to design it based off the vague ideas in my head. i am SUPER happy with the result!! they look amazing :O

[sunderedazem]

lift me higher, let me look at the sun

Series: in the shadow of the sun || ascian azem au (Part 3)

Series Authors: @sunderedazem and @azems-familiar

Rating: Teen Fandom: Final Fantasy XIV Category: Gen Major Tags: No Archive Warnings Apply (Some) Minor Tags: Warrior of Light Is Not A Shard of Azem, Ascian Azem, Teenage Warrior of Light, Yol Preening, Alcohol, Nonbinary Azem, Warrior of Light is a Mess, Azem is even MORE of a Mess, Tempering, Miqo'te Warrior of Light

Summary:

Azem follows the Warrior of Light through Othard, and observes as Doma is liberated from Garlemald's choking grasp. Sometimes they get too close for comfort. Corrain de Fortemps tries his best to bear the weight of being the hero of two continents. Sometimes, he catches the Ascian paparazzi watching - and tries to see if, just this once- maybe they won't have to fight. Five times the Warrior of Light and Azem of the Unsundered see each other - and sometimes there's a big nuzzly yol involved.

Chapter Start:

CORRAIN He’s not quite sure when, precisely, that the back of his neck began to prickle with discomfort, the fine strands of translucent fur along his hairline stiffening to stand on end. But he knows for certain that it began in earnest shortly after they made landfall amongst the archipelago of islands in the Ruby Sea and went with Soroban to treat with the Confederacy - or, more precisely, to pay the bribe that would allow them to sail the ocean there unaccosted by pirates. Corrain rather thinks he would have been more amenable to the whole thing - and slightly less of a scowling thundercloud of a man - had that strange sensation not begun to set in. But as it was, well. He rather thought Tansui might have been glad to be rid of his glower, however briefly. After all, even petite as he is next to a Roegadyn like Gosetsu  there is something intimidating about a man who carries a blade as long as he is tall and imbued with fire-aspected crystal so the blade will burst aflame when aether is channeled through it besides. No less one who speaks only to snarl obscenities under his breath at the Garlean trespassers they’d briefly run into. Though perhaps that may have kindled kinship instead. He does think he caught an appreciative sigh from Tansui.

Click for Ao3 Link!