Antioch or Antiochia was an ancient city located on the Orontes River near the Amanus Mountains in Syria. The “land of four cities” - Seleucia, Apamea, Laodicea, and Antiochia - was founded by Seleucus I Nicator (Victor) between 301 and 299 BCE. Some credit the city's initial founding as Antigoneia to Antigonus I the One-Eyed who lost the area to Seleucus after the Battle of Ipsus in 301 BCE. According to some ancient sources, Seleucus was considered one of the more capable successors to the empire established by Alexander the Great. Seleucus was not one of the people in Alexander's inner circle, serving as one of the commanders of the hypaspists, an elect guard that served as a buffer between Alexander's cavalry and infantry. Although little mention is made of him and his relationship to Alexander, he and his descendants would rule an empire which included Antioch for almost 250 years.
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