num_pages: 280
description: Brings to life a major figure in the Hellenistic World . . . in his own right rather than as just another stepping stone during Romes rise (HistoryOfWar.org).The second volume in John Graingers history of the Seleukid Empire is devoted to the reign of Antiochus III. Too often remembered only as the man who lost to the Romans at Magnesia Antiochus is here revealed as one of the most powerful and capable rulers of the age. Having emerged from civil war in 223 as the sole survivor of the Seleukid dynasty he shouldered the burdens of a weakened and divided realm. Though defeated by Egypt in the Fourth Syrian War he gradually restored full control over the empire. His great Eastern campaign took Macedonian arms back to India for the first time since Alexanders day and returning west he went on to conquer Thrace and finally wrest Syria from Ptolemaic control. Then came intervention in Greece and the clash with Rome leading to the defeat at Magnesia and the restrictive Peace of Apamea. Despite this Antiochus remained ambitious campaigning in the East again; when he died in 187 BC the empire was still one of the most powerful states in the world. We are Grainger says so  hypnotised by the rise of Rome that we ignore the Seleukid and Ptolemaic interlude. His clear and fascinating account breaks this spell.Minerva Magazine
language: English
title: The Seleukid Empire of Antiochus III: 223 - 187 BC
publisher: Praetorian Press