Wars of Syria

the wars of Syria are a series of conflicts which opposed the kingdoms lagides and Séleucides during the hellenistic period for the domination of the Syria and of the Palestine (Cœlé-Syria).

After the Battle of Ipsos in -301, Ptolémée Ier of Egypt establishes its domination on the Palestine, the Cœlé-Syria and Cyprus. Séleucos Ier dominates Syria in North.

First war of Syria (-274, -271)

The first war opposes Ptolémée II Egypt and Antiochos Ier for the possession of the Eastern Mediterranean. Antiochos is combined with Magas, half-brother of Ptolémée II and autoproclamé king of the Cyrénaïque (-277, -257). Antiochos loses the Eastern Cilicie and the Phénicie with the profit of the sovereign lagide.

Second war of Syria (-259, -253)

Antiochos II is victorious on sea with Cos of Ptolémée II towards -258. Ptolémée II loses the Ionie and of the Pamphylie. Antiochos II wife Bérénice, the girl of Ptolémée II, and repudiates for that his first wife, Laodice.

Third war of Syria or war of Laodice (-246/-241)

The conflict is started by the assassination by Laodice, wife repudiated of Antiochos II, Bérénice Syra and its son, sister of Ptolémée III. The victory of Ptolémée III against Séleucos II makes it main of a whole part of the Occidental Asia until Babylon and carries the ptolémaïque kingdom to the apogee of its power.

Fourth war of Syria (-221, -217)

In -219, Antiochos III conquers the Syria - Palestine with the detriment of the Lagides. It seizes Séleucie de Piérie on the Oronte. The June 22nd -217, the troops of Ptolémée {{IV}} Philopator crush the army séleucide led by Antiochos {{III}} to the Bataille of Raffia, in Palestine. The lagides take again the control of the Cœlé-Syria.

Fifth war of Syria (-202, -195)

Antiochos III seizes the Cœlé-Syria and besieges Gaza, then east is pushed back until the the Jordan. Antiochos III is victorious with the Panion, close to the sources of the Jordan on Ptolémée V in -200. It occupies all Coelé-Syria, including the Samarie and Jerusalem where the Juifs help it to still seize the citadel to the hands of the troops lagides. It will return its conquests to Ptolémée V Épiphane when that marries his/her daughter Cléopâtre Ire (-194/-193).

Sixth war of Syria (-170, -168)

Antiochos IV invades Egypt, puts the Egyptian army diverts some close to the Cassius mount and occupies Memphis. The weather is captive Ptolémée VI which is replaced by his/her brother Ptolémée VIII Evergète II. Antiochos must leave Egypt in -169 to repress a revolt with Jerusalem. It leads a second campaign in Egypt to spring -168. After some successes, Rome the constrained one to give up Egypt: the ambassador C. Popilius Laenas traces around him a circle on sand and prohibits to him to leave there before to have answered its ultimatum.

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