Raphia June 22 217 BC Strategic Context Antiochus
Raphia June 22, 217 BC Strategic Context Antiochus 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 ambitions. With this uncertain force, Ptolemy gives battle to Antiochus at Raphia, near the famed Gaza. To view animation on PC: hit F 5 To view animation on Mac: hit ⌘ + enter 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 BC Strength §Seleucids §Egyptians §Antiochus III the Great §Ptolemy IV § 55, 000 infantry § 7, 000 peltasts § 6, 000 cavalry § 102 war elephants § 68, 000 infantry § 2, 000 peltasts § 5, 000 cavalry § 73 war elephants §Well By Jonathan Webb, 2009
Mediterranean c. 218 BC
The battlefield consists of a flat, arid plain with no obstacles or features. However, flanking the battlefield off-map are low sand dunes and drifting sands. Seleucids (Antiochus) Egyptians (Ptolemy)
Antiochus and Ptolemy deploy their armies in a standard formation: infantry at center, cavalry on the wings, and warnumerous elephants both wings Antiochus surges forward with the his right wing to take advantage of thesuperior Egyptian left wing’s driving itphalanxes backwards. Ptolemy’s Antiochus The presence Egyptian opens of and Ptolemy the Seleucid battle to rest with his leftof already an wings attack superior are byboth his infantry war defeated elephants is invaluable; bythe on hishe right leads wings hisdisorder, two The and infantry more driven back. on. However, Seleucid forward aheadwing of the lineforward accompanied by peltasts. Both commanders strengthen theiron right Antiochus’ with. Egyptian cavalry and with right alsomain surges in accordance with his orders in the event of collapse the wings, left wing. The inferior war Ptolemy’s elephant force war Antiochus to defeat elephants the continues outmatched defeat to personally their Seleucid Egyptian pursue infantry counterparts, the phalanx routed outright. Egyptian which The then left Seleucid wing retreat while infantry and Ptolemy disrupt rout extricates from the infantry battlefield himself and from cavalry before the infantry. Antiochus plans to use his superior cavalry and war elephants to win the battle on the wings. Ptolemy plans to use his superior infantry does not charge until the cavalry and infantry – carefully evading the Seleucid war elephants – drive the Seleucid left wing back. formations situation Antiochus tocan of take return command his of wing. his cavalry infantry pursuit. boosting its morale. phalanx to win the. Ptolemy’s battle at from theleft center. Antiochus andphalanx, Ptolemy position themselves on opposing wings to begin the battle. Seleucids (Antiochus) Symbol guide Seleucids Egyptians Phalanx Infantry Peltasts Cavalry Egyptians Seleucids War elephants (Antiochus (Ptolemy. IIIIV) the Great) 68, 000 infantry 55, 000 2, 000 peltasts 7, 000 5, 000 cavalry 6, 000 102 war 73 warelephants Cavalry War elephants Egyptians (Ptolemy)
Raphia, 217 BC Casualties & Aftermath Seleucids: Egyptians: 14, 300 2, 200 or or 19% 3% 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 to look elsewhere for conquest. By Jonathan Webb, 2009
The Art of Battle: Animated Battle Maps http: //www. theartofbattle. com By Jonathan Webb, 2009
- Slides: 7