REVENGE FOR RAPHIA

The Seleucids and Ptolemaic Egypt frequently clashed for control of the border land between these two great empires. In 217BC the Seleucids under their youthful new king, Antiochus III, attempted to assert their dominance over Gaza at the head of a huge invasion force in the Fourth Syrian War, but the Seleucids were met with fierce resistance at the epic battle of Raphia. Ptolemy IV's army was able not just to blunt their thrust but also to throw the Seleucids back with heavy losses. Humiliated, the young Seleucid king retired to lick his wounds.

Mark Backhouse

In 200BC, Antiochus III once again attempted an invasion of Coele-Syria. He had gained experience and victories in campaigns against the Parthians and had even taken inspiration from the Parthian cataphracts he had encountered. This new element was adopted by the Seleucid army and would play a key role in delivering the killer punch that would help Antiochus to reassert control over the border region from his Egyptian rivals in what was to become the Fifth Syrian War. The Ptolemaic defence of Syria was led by an Aetolian mercenary commander called Scopas. Scopas was appointed in 204BC having successfully managed to rebuff an earlier Seleucid invasion of the region in 201BC. Although outnumbered, he was doubtless optimistic that he could do the same again. There were limited routes of access…

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Wargames, Soldiers & Strategy (Digital) - 1 Issue, WSS 133

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