塞琉西亚建城考:早期希腊化城市与帝国统治

A Study on the Founding of Seleucia:Early Hellenistic Cities and the Empire

底格里斯河畔的塞琉西亚是希腊化时代早期建立的最典型的希腊式殖民城市之一。塞琉古在公元前308年左右控制了巴比伦尼亚地区并发起东征,在东征过程中称王。公元前304—前302年,塞琉古结束东征,返回巴比伦尼亚地区并建立塞琉西亚城作为王国都城。塞琉西亚位于塞琉古王国东部核心区域巴比伦尼亚,有利于监控巴比伦城等原生民族地区,加之地处两河流域水陆要道交汇之地,具有天然防御和交通优势;所以成为新都的首选之地。尽管其后塞琉古王国在叙利亚另建都城,但是塞琉西亚作为东都的地位并没有下降,仍旧是帝国的核心城市之一。包括塞琉西亚在内一系列希腊化城市的建立,是希腊—马其顿人重要的殖民统治手段。塞琉西亚的建立及其历史作用,是塞琉古王国统治的缩影。

Seleucia on the Tigris is one of the most typical of the Greek colonial cities established in the early Hellenistic period.Around 308 B.C.,Seleucus controlled Babylonia and initiated an eastward expedition,in the course of which he proclaimed himself king.From 304 to 302 B.C.,he ended the expedition,returned to Babylonia and established the city of Seleucia as the capital of his kingdom.Seleucia was located in Babylonia,in the heartland of the eastern Seleucid empire,allowing oversight of the city of Babylon and the areas occupied by the original inhabitants.Being located at the intersection of Mesopotamian river and land transport routes,Seleucia’s natural defense and transportation advantages made it the first choice for a capital city.Although the Seleucids subsequently build another city in Syria,Seleucia retained its status as the eastern capital.The establishment of a series of Hellenistic cities including Seleucia was an important tactic in Macedonian colonial domination.The establishment of Seleucia and its historical role epitomize Seleucid rule.