the sea-port of Antioch, near the mouth of the Orontes. Paul and his companions sailed from this port on their first missionary journey (Ac 13:4). This city was built by Seleucus Nicator, the "king of Syria." It is said of him that "few princes have ever lived with so great a passion for the building of cities. He is reputed to have built in all nine Seleucias, sixteen Antiochs, and six Laodiceas." Seleucia became a city of great importance, and was made a "free city" by Pompey. It is now a small village, called el-Kalusi.

Antioch's seaport. The Orontes passes Antioch, and falls into the sea near Seleucia, 16 miles from Antioch. Paul and Barnabas at their first missionary tour sailed from that port (Ac 13:4), and landed there on returning (Ac 14:26). Named from the great Alexander's successor, Seleucus Nicator, its founder, who died 280 B.C. The two piers of the old harbour still remain, bearing the names of Paul and Barnabas; the masonry is so good that it has been proposed to clear out and repair the harbour.

SELEUCIA. on the coast of Syria, at the mouth of the river Orontes, was the port of the great Antioch. It was strongly fortified. Situated on the S. side of Mt. Pieria, and on thelevel ground at its foot, it was protected on three sides both naturally and by fortifications. It was captured by Ptolemy Euergetes (1Ma 11:8), and afterwards recovered (in b.c. 219) by Antiochus the Great. Its greatness increased in Roman times. Then it was a 'free city.' Commercially its importance in the Levantine trade was of the highest. Extensive remains of the ancient city exist.

A. Souter.

Seleu'cia

A seaport some sixteen miles from Antioch in Syria, from whence Paul and Barnabas embarked on their first missionary journey; doubtless they landed there on their return. Ac 13:4; 14:26. It was founded by Seleucus Nicator, the successor in Syria to Alexander the Great. There are two piers in the old harbour still called Paul and Barnabas. The modern village is called es Suweidiyeh, 36 15' N, 35 50' E.

SELEUCIA, a city of Syria, situated upon the Mediterranean, near the place where the Orontes discharges itself into the sea. St. Paul and Barnabas were at this place when they embarked for Cyprus, Ac 13:4. The same city is mentioned in 1 Mac. 11:8.