The study of royal women has been one of the most dynamic fields of inquiry into the
Hellenistic world (ca. 336-30 BC) and has dramatically shifted our perceptions of gender
status and influence in the ancient world. Amid numerous works on the Ptolemies Antigonids
and Argeads this volume is the first to examine the roles and representations of the women of
the Seleukid dynasty and its clients. These royal women were born or married into a dynasty
that ruled an empire spanning dozens of cultures and languages encompassing territory from
western Asia Minor to modern-day Afghanistan. As representatives of their family's prestige
they were highly influential in shaping the culture and legacy of this Empire that spanned East
and West. The contributions of this volume offer a systematic scrutiny of the representation of
female Seleukids in visual and textual media. Avoiding Eurocentric perspectives in favour of
embracing the diversity of the Empire these scholars examine the interaction of Seleukid women
with royal traditions ranging from Persia Bactria and Judaea to their Hellenistic
contemporaries. The result is a landmark achievement in the study of ancient women.
