Raphia 217 BC

Ptolemaic vs Seleucid

Historical Background
The Wars of the Successors led to the establishment of three Hellenistic Kingdoms: the Antigonids (Macedon), the Ptolemies (Egypt) and the Seleucids (from Asia Minor to India). The Seleucid Empire began to fragment, losing Judea and most of its eastern provinces and parts of Asia Minor. Antiochus III became ruler at the age of eighteen in 223 BC, and immediately began restoring his empire. In 217 he retook Judea and marched on Egypt with 62,000 foot, 6,000 horse and 103 elephants. Ptolemy IV, with a much smaller army, enrolled native Egyptians into his Greek phalanx, to bring his numbers up to 70,000 infantry, 6,000 cavalry and 73 elephants. The two armies met at Raphia on the Egyptian frontier. Both armies deployed with their phalanx in the center and cavalry on the wings. Antiochus began the battle by charging forward with his right wing cavalry and breaking Ptolemy's left. The young Antiochus impetuously pursued the fleeing cavalry before him. Meanwhile, the Egyptian right swung forward into action and defeated its counterpart. With both wings wheeling in opposite directions, Ptolemy ordered his center to attack. Surprisingly, the Egyptian phalanx got the best of the veteran Seleucids and Antiochus’ entire army broke and fled. Antiochus withdrew, and Ptolemy recovered Judea. Despite this defeat, Antiochus went on to re-conquer his lost provinces and restore the great Seleucid Empire. Ptolemy, on the other hand, soon faced a major rebellion led by the Egyptian soldiers he had trained for the phalanx.
The stage is set. The battle lines are drawn and you are in command. The rest is history.

War Council

Ptolemaic Army (Use Eastern Kingdom blocks)
• Leader: Ptolemy
• 5 Command Cards

Seleucid Army (Use Greek blocks)
• Leader: Antiochus
• 5 Command Cards
• Move First

Victory
8 Banners