City and Citizenship in the foreign model city in Persia during Seleucians era

The invasion of the Achaemenids Empire by Alexander the Great and his companions brought about many changes to Persia. Alexander’s Hellenic policy of continued invasions around the country for a long time created a different socio-cultural reality for the defeated country. Seleucians, as the successors of Alexander, caused various changes particularly in the field of social and economic structure of Persian, through the lands between Euphrates and Balkh. The presence of the Greek and Macedonian traders and hired-armies as the main elements for the change, led to an establishment of a new form of city. The form, differing from that of the Asian cities in the area, soon became the economical-cultural centre for the Seleucian's conqueror. These cities grew in numbers in Persia and became strong legitimizing elements of power for the Seleucians. This research focuses on the process of formation and inhabitation of these newly established cities as the key factor for the stability of the Hellenic culture in Persia. Also the degree of effect and changes that these cities made in the field of new social structure will be examined.