Greek & Roman Rule (330 BC - 363 AD)
Mesopotamia is Hellenized then Romanized.

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Death of Alexander the Great (323 BC): Alexander the Great died, leaving behind no heirs to his massive empire. It was partitioned among his generals. Most of the Asian portion was placed under the regency of the general Perdiccas.

General Seleucus Takes Control of Asian Portion of Greek Empire (320 - 312 BC): Perdiccas was assassinated by Seleucus, a general under Perdiccas, in 320 BC. Seleucus embarked upon military campaigns over the next 8 years to consolidate rule over all the Asian portion of the empire, which would become known as the Seleucid Empire. Seleucus was assassinated in 281 BC in Europe, as he attempted to expand his empire even farther west. His son would succeed him, but he and subsequent rulers would be drawn into almost constant warfare throughout the empire's existence trying to hold it all together, as various provinces would frequently assert independence.

(Timeline Continued Below)

Greek Seleucids Lose Anatolia to Rome (188 BC): Seleucids were defeated by Rome in Anatolia, being expelled from all of Europe and Anatolia. The Seleucid Empire would proceed to spin out of control, as revolts cropped up throughout the empire. The Seleucid Empire was forced to pay large tributaries to the Romans, so it in turn attempted to extract greater tributes from its own provinces, deepening dissatisfaction in an already diverse and inherently fragmented political entity.

Greek Seleucids Lose Mesopotamia and Persia to the Iranian Parthians (148 - 130 BC): Parthians conquered most of the former Median Empire (Iran and northern Iraq) in 148 BC. By 141 BC, the Parthians conquered Mesopotamia. Through 130 BC, war was waged between the Greek Seleucids and Parthians over control of this territory. After 130 BC, the Parthians would not be seriously threatened in Mede or Mesopotamia.

Rome Conquers Remaining Seleucid Empire (63 BC): By this time, the Seleucid Empire had been reduced to most of Syria. It is now ruled by Rome.

Rome Conquers Armenia (20 BC): Conquered from the Iranian Parthian Empire.

Rome Conquers Mesopotamia and Assyria (116 AD): Conquered from the Iranian Parthian Empire. Both provinces are abandoned in 118, due to incessant rebellions.

Rome re-conquers Mesopotamia (198 AD).

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Persian Sassanid Empire Replaces Parthia in Iran (224 AD): The Sassanid tribe (another Persian-Iranian people) overthrew the Arsacids, bringing an end to the Parthian Empire. The Sassanids consolidated power in the lands east of Mesopotamia. They also maintained Zoroastrian influence. Christians were oppressed in the empire, since they were suspected of being sympathetic to the Sassanid's fiercest rival - Rome.

Armenia Conquered by Sassanid Empire (230 AD): The Sassanids engaged in constant warfare with Romans along its western borders.

Armenia re-conquered by Rome in 280 AD.

Rome Abandons Mesopotamia for Good (363 AD): Romans evacuated Mesopotamia for the last time, leaving it to the Sassanids. Rome was in decline, unable to maintain the outer fringes of its empire.

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Next: Persian Sassanid Empire (363 - 633)

Previous: Persian Empire (539 - 330 BC)

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