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.
