Antiochus Attempts to Complete his Conquest
The approach of spring found both sides weary of
note
negotiations, and with no prospect of coming to
a conclusion. Antiochus therefore began collecting his forces, with a view of making an invasion
by land and sea, and completing his conquest of Coele-Syria.
On his part Ptolemy gave the supreme management of the war
to Nicolaus, sent abundant provisions to Gaza, and despatched
land and sea forces. The arrival of these reinforcements gave
Nicolaus courage to enter upon the war: the commander of
the navy promptly co-operating with him in carrying out all his
orders. This admiral was Perigenes, whom Ptolemy sent out
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in command of the fleet, consisting of thirty fully-decked ships
and more than four thousand ships of burden. Nicolaus was
by birth an Aetolian, and was the boldest and most experienced
officer in the service of Ptolemy. With one division of his
army he hastened to seize the pass at Platanus; with the rest,
which he personally commanded, he occupied the environs of
Porphyrion; and there prepared to resist the invasion of the
king: the fleet being also anchored close to him.
Meanwhile Antiochus had advanced as far as Marathus. note
On his way he had received a deputation
of Aradians, asking for an alliance; and had
not only granted their request, but had put
an end to a quarrel which they had amongst themselves,
by reconciling those of them who lived on the island with
those who lived on the mainland. Starting from Marathus
he entered the enemy's country near the promontory called
Theoprosopon, and advanced to Berytus, having seized Botrys
on his way, and burnt Trieres and Calamus. From Berytus he
sent forward Nicarchus and Theodotus with orders to secure
the difficult passes near the river Lycus; while he himself set
his army in motion and encamped near the river Damuras:
Diognetus, the commander of his navy, coasting along parallel
with him all the while. Thence once more, taking with him
the divisions commanded by Theodotus and Nicarchus, which
were the light troops of the army, he set out to reconnoitre
the pass occupied already by Nicolaus. After thoroughly
surveying the nature of the ground, he retired to his camp for
that day. But on the next, leaving his heavy-armed troops in
the charge of Nicarchus, he set out with the rest of his forces
to execute his design.
