RaphiaJune 22, 217 BC

Strategic ContextAntiochus III the Great inherits the Seleucid throne in 223 BC and undertakes a quest to restore the lands lost in previous years. In 219 BC he turns against Egypt, under rule of Ptolemy IV, to ignite the Fourth Syrian War. Antiochus reduces fortress after fortress for two years while Ptolemy rebuilds the decaying army of his empire. Ptolemy is desperate enough to recruit native Egyptians, unused in combat for almost a century due to their rising nationalistic goals. With this uncertain force, Ptolemy gives battle to Antiochus at Raphia, near the famed Gaza.

Stakes+ A Seleucid victory would expose the Egyptian empire to further conquest and eventual collapse.

+ An Egyptian victory would check the Seleucid advance and reestablish a defensive line in Syria.

By Jonathan Webb, 2009 ©

Raphia, 217 BCStrength

Seleucids

Well

Egyptians

Well

Antiochus III the Great

55,000 infantry 68,000 infantry

Ptolemy IV

By Jonathan Webb, 2009 ©

2,000 peltasts7,000 peltasts5,000 cavalry73 war elephants

6,000 cavalry102 war elephants

Egyptians(Ptolemy)

Seleucids(Antiochus)

NN

Antiochus and Ptolemy deploy their armies in a standard formation: infantry at the center, cavalry on the wings and war elephants on both wings ahead of the main line, accompanied by peltasts. Both commanders strengthen their right wings, Antiochus’ with cavalry and Ptolemy’s with infantry. Antiochus plans to use his superior cavalry and war elephants to win the battle on the wings while Ptolemy plans to use his superior infantry phalanxes to win the battle at the center. Antiochus and Ptolemy position themselves on opposing wings to begin the battle.

Antiochus sends the war elephants on his right wing forward. The more numerous Seleucid war elephants defeat their Egyptian counterparts which then retreat and cause disarray in the infantry and cavalry ranks on Ptolemy’s left wing.

Antiochus surges forward with the rest of his right wing to take advantage of the Egyptian left wing’s disorder; the Egyptian left wing is not surprisingly driven back. Ptolemy’s right wing also surges forward in accordance with his orders in the event of collapse on the left wing. The inferior war elephant forces do not charge until the cavalry and infantry – carefully evading the Seleucid war elephants – drive the Seleucid left wing back.

The Egyptian and Seleucid left wings are both defeated by superior right wings and driven back. However, Antiochus continues to personally overpursue the retreating Egyptian left wing while Ptolemy extricates himself from the situation to take command of his infantry phalanxes. The presence of Ptolemy to his already superior infantry is invaluable; he leads his two infantry phalanxes forward to defeat the lone, outmatched Seleucid infantry phalanx outright. The Seleucid infantry flee the battle before Antiochus can return from his cavalry pursuit.

Egyptians(Ptolemy IV)

68,000 infantry2,000 peltasts5,000 cavalry102 war elephants

Seleucids(Antiochus III the Great)55,000 infantry7,000 peltasts6,000 cavalry73 war elephants

Raphia, 217 BCCasualties & Aftermath

Seleucids: Egyptians:

14,300

or

19%

2,200

or

3%

By Jonathan Webb, 2009 ©

The battle checked Antiochus’ advance into Egyptian territory but Ptolemy was unable to fully exploit the victory. He was fully aware that his empire was weakening, not becoming stronger, and opted to use the victory to reestablish the defensive line in Syria, forcing Antiochus’s gaze elsewhere for conquest.

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By Jonathan Webb, 2009 ©