A teenage king in 223 BC, Antiochus III inherited an empire in shambles,
ravaged by civil strife and eroded by territorial secessions. He proved
himself a true heir of Alexander: he defeated rebel armies and embarked
on a campaign of conquest and reunification. Although repulsed by
Ptolemy IV at the Battle of Raphia, his eastern campaigns reaffirmed
Seleucid hegemony as far as modern Afghanistan and Pakistan. Returning
westward, he defeated Ptolemy V at Panion (200 BC) and succeeded in
adding Koile Syria to the Seleucid realm. At the height of his powers,
he challenged growing Roman power, unimpressed by their recent successes
against Carthage and Macedon. His expeditionary force was crushed at
Thermopylae and evacuated. Refusing to bow before Roman demands,
Antiochus energetically mobilized against Roman invasion, but was again
decisively defeated at the epic battle of Magnesia. Despite the loss of
territory and prestige enshrined in the subsequent Peace of Apamea,
Antiochus III left the Seleucid Empire in far better condition than he
found it. Although sometimes presented as a failure against the
unstoppable might of Rome, Antiochus III must rank as one of the most
energetic and effective rulers of the Ancient world. In addition to
discussing the career of Antiochus III, Michael Taylor examines Seleucid
military organization and royal administration.
