Raphia (217 BC)

The Wars of the Successors led to the establishment of three Hellenistic Kingdoms: the Antigonids (Macedon), the Ptolemies (Egypt) and the Seleucids (from Asia Minor to India). The Seleucid Empire began to fragment, losing Judea and most of its eastern …

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The Wars of the Successors led to the establishment of three Hellenistic Kingdoms: the Antigonids (Macedon), the Ptolemies (Egypt) and the Seleucids (from Asia Minor to India). The Seleucid Empire began to fragment, losing Judea and most of its eastern provinces and parts of Asia Minor. Antiochus III became ruler at the age of eighteen in 223 BC, and immediately began restoring his empire. In 217 he retook Judea and marched on Egypt with 62,000 foot, 6,000 horse and 103 elephants. Ptolemy IV, with a much smaller army, enrolled native Egyptians into his Greek phalanx, to bring his numbers up to 70,000 infantry, 6,000 cavalry and 73 elephants. The two armies met at Raphia on the Egyptian frontier. Both armies deployed with their phalanx in the center and cavalry on the wings. Antiochus began the battle by charging forward with his right wing cavalry and breaking Ptolemy's left. The young Antiochus impetuously pursued the fleeing cavalry before him. Meanwhile, the Egyptian right swung forward into action and defeated its counterpart. With both wings wheeling in opposite directions, Ptolemy ordered his center to attack. Surprisingly, the Egyptian phalanx got the best of the veteran Seleucids and Antiochus’ entire army broke and fled. Antiochus withdrew, and Ptolemy recovered Judea. Despite this defeat, Antiochus went on to re-conquer his lost provinces and restore the great Seleucid Empire. Ptolemy, on the other hand, soon faced a major rebellion led by the Egyptian soldiers he had trained for the phalanx.

Raphia, Gaza Strip

The Battle of Raphia, also known as the Battle of Gaza, was a battle fought on 22 June 217 BC near modern Rafah between the forces of Ptolemy IV Philopator, king and pharaoh of Ptolemaic Egypt and Antiochus III the Great of the Seleucid Empire during the Syrian Wars. It was one of the largest battles of the Hellenistic kingdoms and was one of the largest battles of the ancient world. The battle was waged to determine the sovereignty of Coele Syria.

Wikipedia: Battle of Raphia

Ptolemaic

Seleucid

Antigonid Ptolemaic A Seleucid Wars