Strabo's Mesopotamia between Seleucids, Parthians, and Romans

This paper examines Strabo’s representation of Mesopotamia in Book XVI of his Geography, focusing on the region east of the Euphrates. Strabo structures his account along four main lines: imperial succession, regional administration under the Seleucids and Parthians, Roman engagement, and economic features. Special attention is given to Strabo’s use of the concept of translatio imperii to present Mesopotamia as both a historical and geopolitical space relevant to Roman interests. The paper highlights how Strabo selectively draws on earlier Greek historiography and myth to shape Graeco-Roman perceptions of the Near East, often emphasizing decline under Persian and Seleucid rule while framing Alexander’s presence and legacy in favorable terms. The study also investigates Strabo’s portrayal of Babylon and Seleuceia-on-the-Tigris, including the ideological implications of urban transfer and imperial memory. Finally, it explores Strabo’s nuanced treatment of Mesopotamian scientific traditions, especially the astronomical expertise of the Chaldeans, and its relevance to Graeco-Roman intellectual frameworks. It is proposed that Strabo’s narrative offers a strategic reading of Mesopotamian history that could be interpreted as a roadmap for a potential imperial expansion.