Forces Available to Antiochus and Ptolemy
At the beginning of the following spring, having all
note
preparations for war completed, Antiochus and
Ptolemy determined to bring their claims to
Coele-Syria to the decision of a battle. Ptolemy
accordingly set out from Alexandria with seventy
thousand infantry, five thousand cavalry, and
seventy-three elephants. Being informed of his
approach, Antiochus drew his forces together.
These consisted of Daae, Carmani, and Cilicians,
equipped as light-armed troops to the number of about
five thousand, under the charge and command
of Byttacus the Macedonian. note
Under Theodotus, the Aetolian, who had deserted from
Ptolemy, were ten thousand picked men from
the whole kingdom, armed in the Macedonian
fashion, most of whom had silver shields. The number of
the phalanx was twenty thousand, and they were led by
Nicarchus and Theodotus Hemiolius. In addition to these
there were Agrianes and Persians, who were either bowmen or slingers, to the number of two thousand. With them
were a thousand Thracians, under the command of Menedemus
of Alabanda. There was also a mixed force of Medes,
Cissians, Cadusians, and Carmanians, amounting to five
thousand men, who were assigned to the chief command of
Aspasianus the Mede. Certain Arabians also and men of
neighbouring tribes, to the number of ten thousand, were
commanded by Zabdibelus. The mercenaries from Greece
amounting to five thousand were led by Hippolochus of
Thessaly. Antiochus had also fifteen hundred Cretans who
came with Eurylochus, and a thousand Neo-Cretans commanded by Zelys of Gortyna; with whom were five hundred
javelin-men of Lydia, and a thousand Cardaces who came with
Lysimachus the Gaul. The entire number of his horse was
six thousand; four thousand were commanded by the king's
nephew Antipater, the rest by Themison: so that the whole
-- 431 --
number of Antiochus's force was sixty-two thousand infantry,
six thousand cavalry, and one hundred and two elephants.
