Diodorus on the outbreak of the Babylonian War

In 320, Seleucus I Nicator had been appointed as satrap of Babylonia, but Antigonus Monophthalmus had expelled him in the summer of 316. In May 311, however, Seleucus recaptured Babylon.

This was the beginning of the Babylonian War, which was to last until the late summer of 309. Antigonus first sent his son Demetrius against one of the largest cities of the world. He had to retreat, and because later Antigonid were equally unsuccessful, Seleucus could keep his newly-founded independent kingdom.

The story is told by Diodorus of Sicily (World History, 19.90-93); the translation was made by Russel M. Geer.

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The beginning of the Babylonian war
[19.90.1] In Asia, after the defeat of Demetrius at Gaza in Syria,^note Seleucus, receiving from Ptolemy no more than 800 foot soldiers and about 200 horse, set out for Babylon. He was so puffed up with great expectations that, even if he had had no army whatever, he would have made the expedition into the interior with his friends and his own slaves; for he assumed that the Babylonians, on account of the goodwill that had previously existed,^note would promptly join him, and that Antigonus, by withdrawing to a great distance with his army,^note[He wanted to invade Europe.] had given him a suitable opportunity for his own enterprises.
[19.90.2] While such was his own enthusiasm, those of his friends who accompanied him were no little disheartened when they saw that the men who were making the campaign with them were very few and that the enemy against whom they were going possessed large armies ready for service, magnificent resources, and a host of allies.
[19.90.3] When Seleucus saw that they were terror-stricken, he encouraged them, saying that men who had campaigned with Alexander and had been advanced by him because of their prowess, ought not to rely solely on armed force and wealth when confronting difficult situations, but upon experience and skill, the means whereby Alexander himself had accomplished his great and universally admired deeds. He added that they ought also to believe the oracles of the gods which had foretold that the end of his campaign would be worthy of his purpose;
[19.90.4] for, when he had consulted the oracle in Branchidae,^note, the god had greeted him as King Seleucus, and Alexander standing beside him in a dream had given him a clear sign of the future leadership that was destined to fall to him in the course of time.
[19.90.5] Moreover, he pointed out that everything that is good and admired among men is gained through toil and danger. But he also sought the favor of his fellow soldiers and put himself on an equality with them all in such a way that each man respected him and willingly accepted the risk of the daring venture.

The beginning of the Babylonian war