Seleukos, self-appointed general (strategos) of Asia (311-305 B.C.), and the satrapy of Babylonia

Abstract: In the Diadochoi Chronicle from Babylon it is stated that when in spring 311 B.C. Seleukos recovered Babylon, he took the title of “general of Asia” (strategos tes Asias) from Antigonos. This decision was not accepted by his allies Ptolemy, Kassandros and Lysimachos and evidently not by Antigonos, with whom the allies made peace in the same year. This is an extra argument that Seleukos was not a partner in the peace treaty. Seleukos himself was probably officially satrap of Babylonia, but appointed Patrokles as strategos of Babylonia to defend the satrapy while he was absent. In the ensuing Babylonian war Antigonos’ son Demetrios tried to reconquer Babylonia from August 310 to March 309 B.C. In March 309 Demetrios left Babylon for Asia Minor leaving behind Archelaos as rival satrap (or strategos?) of Babylonia to carry on the war. Probably some time after 305 B.C. (when Seleukos became king) a new satrap of Babylonia was appointed. The first possible attestation is in chronicle BCHP 7 (301 B.C.?); the first certain attestation is in an astronomical diary concerning 274 B.C., acting side by side with a strategos