The King-ship of the Seleukids: an alternative paradigm for the anchor symbol

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

The anchor has been one of the most puzzling Seleukid symbols, introduced by the dynasty’s founder, Seleukos I. Historical sources of the Roman era refer to it in connection with certain oracles and divine omens designed to confirm Seleukos’ Apolline ancestry and his preordained rise to the throne. A less mythological explanation refers to Seleukos’ time as Ptolemy’s admiral: according to this interpretation, Seleukos’ naval victories during this time inspired him to employ the anchor as symbol of his naval superiority. After reviewing the extant textual and numismatic evidence, and summarizing the scholarly arguments on the issues arising from them, I explore an additional cultural paradigm regarding the Babylonian god Marduk and his safe mooring of the ship of state, celebrated during his New Year festival. Following Marduk’s divine example, earthly kings, including Nebuchadnezzar II whom the Seleukids admired, were able to halt the ships of their enemies and claim divinely sanctioned victories. In my view, this paradigm accords with Seleukos’ conciliatory cultural policies designed to appeal to both his Greek and non-Greek subjects, especially since the ship of state metaphor was ubiquitous in the Greek culture but also popular, as the evidence indicates, in Babylon and Kilikia, a region largely exposed to the cultural influence of Babylon during the Neo-Assyrian period. The concept of safe anchoring was amply promoted in Near Eastern royal inscriptions and advocated in the magnificent state boats which decorated the temples of Marduk and Nabû in Babylon and Borsippa. Seleukos and his son Antiochos I were known to have participated there in local cultic activities. Thus, Near Eastern lore about Marduk’s ship of state likely encouraged Seleukos’ choice of the anchor as a symbol of his royal legitimacy, a symbol employed more systematically after his final victory against Antigonos in 301 BCE.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationSeleukid ideology
Subtitle of host publicationcreation, reception and response
EditorsAltay Coşkun, Richard Wenghofer
Place of PublicationStuttgart
PublisherFranz Steiner Verlag
Chapter3
Pages61-92
Number of pages31
ISBN (Electronic)9783515134798
ISBN (Print)9783515134781
Publication statusPublished - 2023

Publication series

NameSeleukid Perspectives
PublisherFranz Steiner Verlag

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The King-ship of the Seleukids: an alternative paradigm for the anchor symbol'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this