Chapter IV
The End of the First Syrian War
262-260 BC
As the 21st year of Ptolemaios II's reign begins (262 BC) the Basileus/Pharaoh is preparing his army to march on Damaskos for the 3rd time, hoping to finally bring it under his control. His daughter Berenike, wife of his trusted general Pyrrhos Andriakeios, gave birth to a girl named Stratonike. According to popular belief the invasion of Koile-Syria was delayed for a year so that Pyrrhos could spend time with his first-born child. The rest of the year was spent in Syria with occasional raids being launched into the neighbouring Seleukid province.
As his 22nd year as Basileus began Ptolemaios was ready to march on Damaskos for the third and final time. However a spanner was thrown in the works once again when Karpion Soter, governor of Alexandreia and Dioiketes of the Ptolemaic Kingdom died. This left Philadelphos with a difficult decision to make. Should he appoint another man as governor of Alexandreia which would also mean he would be practically running the kingdom? Or should he appoint another man as leader of the expedition to Damaskos? Eventually he decided that his son Lysimachos should govern Alexandreia, also making him the Satrap of Aigyptoiu. With this obstacle overcame the invasion of Koile-Syria could commence.
Ptolemaios marched his army into Koile-Syria in late autumn, but was unable to draw the Seleukid forces into battle until winter when he faced the combined armies of Seron Thermisonou Pheygikou and Kallimandros Kybiosaktes. A Ptolemaic soldier known only as Patrokles recorded the battle. This account was found in the great library of Alexandreia.

“We awoke on the morning of the battle to find the ground was covered in snow. The snow reminded me of when my father used to take my up into the mountains hunting when I was a youth. If he could see me now, riding in the Prodromoi of Ptolemaios II. The order to advance was given and the whole army moved as one.

According to Pyrrhos the hammer and anvil tactics of Megos Alexandros would be used in this battle. The line had only advanced a short distance when the army under the command of the general called Phyrgikou advanced down the slop to meet us. Evidently there had been some sort of disagreement between the two enemy commanders as the other army held its position.

Once their comrades started dying however they had no choice but to come to the rescue. With both enemy armies attacking our line the battle became viscous. We waited for the better part of an hour as the fight carried on ahead of us. Eventually Pyrrhos raised his sword and ordered us to ride to the extreme right of the enemy line and turn it's flank. We chased away the enemy Sphendonetai and lined up to charge into the rear of the enemy line. Seeing the danger the enemy general known as Kallimandros led his cavalry up the slope against us hoping to pin us long enough for the rest of the Seleukid cavalry to engage us. His plan backfired however as he was pierced by the lance of one of my comrades in the Prodromoi in the initial stages of the fight. Unfortunately the man who killed him was cut down shortly afterwards.


With one of their leaders dead and cavalry harassing their rear the enemy army decided to flee. Unfortunately we were unable to run down the other leader of the enemy force and rumour has it he is seeking refuge in the hills around Damaskos. With no armies left in our way and the garrison of Damaskos scattered around the countryside we entered the city the next day and were greeted as liberators.”


With Damaskos finally under his control Ptolemaios decided to seek an end to hostilities with the Arche Seleukia. With Ptolemaios almost completely cutting him off from the Mediterranean the Seleukid king agreed and in the summer of 260 BC the First Syrian War ended. With the increased territories gained in this time and also the trade that would now flow between Ptolemaic and Seleukid lands the Ptolemaioi flourished at this time.
Timeline of this Period~
262 BC
Spring
- Zenon Philoterios born
- Stratonike, daughter of Pyrrhos born.
261 BC
Spring
- Karpion Soter passes away
- Charias Ptoleamaios, son of Euergetes is born.
Summer/Autumn
- Ptoleamios once again marches on Damaskos.
Winter
- Ptolemaios II defeats the combined armies of Seron Thermisonou Phrygikou and Kallimandros Kybiosaktes.
- The people of Damaskos welcome Ptolemaios' army into the city
- Phanagoras Thraikikos, son of Alexandros born.
260 BC
Summer
- Chairas Andriakeios is born
- First Syrian War ends
Autumn
- Kleaineth, daughter of Sosandros born
- Tyrphania, daughter of Leontiskos born
The known world at the end of 260 BC
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