it from Parthia, it would be impossible for the Syrian army to approach him.

355

A. M.

3795.

209.

However, he was mistaken: for, as soon as the season would permit, Antiochus took the field; and, after incredible difficulties, attacked all those posts Ant. J. C. at the same time with his whole army, which he divided into as many bodies as there were attacks, and soon forced them all. He afterwards assembled them in the plains, and marched to besiege Seringis, which was the capital of Hyrcania. Having besieged it for some time, he at last made a great breach, and took the city by storm, upon which the inhabitants surrendered at discretion.

In the mean time Arsaces was very busy. As he retired, he re-assembled troops, which at last formed an army of an hundred and twenty thousand foot, and twenty thousand horse. He then took the field against the enemy, and put a stop to their progress with the utmost bravery. His resistance protracted the war, which seemed almost at an end. After many engagements, Antiochus perceiving he gained no advantage, judged that it would be extremely difficult to reduce so valiant an enemy, and drive him entirely out of the provinces, where, by length of time, he had so strongly established himself.

For this reason, he began to listen to the overtures which were made him, for terminating so tedious a war.

At last a treaty was concluded, in which it was A. M. stipulated that Arsaces should continue in possession 3796. of Hyrcania, upon condition that he should assist Ant. J. C. Antiochus in recovering the rest of the revolted provinces.

208.

Antiochus, after this peace, turned his arms A. M. against Euthydemus, king of Bactria. We have al- 3797ready shown in what manner Theodotus had dis- Ant. J. C. united Bactria from the empire of Syria, and left it to his son of the same name with himself. This son

Justin. 1. 41. c. 5.

207.

had been defeated and dispossessed by Euthydemus, a brave and prudent man, who engaged in a long war against Antiochus. The latter used his utmost endeavours to recover Bactria; but they all were rendered ineffectual by the valour and vigilance of Eu thydemus. During the course of this war, Antio chus displayed his bravery in the most extraordinary manner. In one of these battles his horse was killed under him, and he himself received a wound in the mouth, which, however, was not dangerous, being attended with only the loss of some of his teeth.

At last he grew weary of a war, when he plainly perceived that it would be impossible for him to dethrone this prince. He therefore gave audience to Euthydemus's ambassadors, who represented to him, that the war he was carrying on against their sovereign was not just: that he had never been his subject, and consequently that he ought not to avenge himself on their king, because others had rebelled against him; that Bactria had thrown off the yoke of the Syrian empire under other monarchs long before him; that he possessed this kingdom by right of conquest over the descendants of those chiefs of the rebellion, and preserved it as the reward of a just victory. They also insinuated to him that the Scythians, observing both parties had weakened themselves by this war, were preparing to invade Bactria with great fury; and that should they persist obstinately in disputing it, those Barbarians might very A..M possibly dispossess both of it. This reflection made 3798. an impression on Antiochus, who, by this time, Ant. J. C. was grown quite weary of so unprofitable and tedious

206.

a war; and for this reason he granted them such conditions as ended in a peace. To confirm and ratify it, Euthydemus sent his son to Antiochus. He gave him a gracious reception; and judging, by his agreeable mien, his conversation, and the air of majesty conspicuous in his whole person, that he was

Polyb. 1. x. p. 620, 621. & 1. xi. p. 651, 652.

worthy of a throne, he promised him one of his daughters in marriage, and granted his father the title of king. The other articles of the treaty were put into writing, and the alliance was confirmed by the usual oaths.

Having received all Euthydemus's elephants, which was one of the articles of peace, he passed mount Caucasus, and entered India, and then renewed his alliance with the king of that country. He also received elephants from him, which, with those Euthydemus had given him, amounted to an hundred and fifty. He marched from thence into Arachosia, afterwards into Drangiana, thence into Carmania, establishing his authority and good order in all those provinces.

He passed the winter in the last country. From thence he returned by Persia, Babylonia, and Mesopotamia, and at last arrived at Antioch, after having spent seven years in this expedition. The vigour of his enterprises, and the prudence with which he had conducted the whole war, acquired him the character of a wise and valiant prince, and made him formidable to Europe as well as Asia.

A. M. 3799. Ant. J.C.

205.

204.

A little after his arrival at Antioch, advice was A. M. brought him of the death of Ptolemy Philopator. 3809. That prince, by his intemperance and excesses, had Ant. J. C. quite ruined his constitution, which was naturally strong and vigorous. He died, as generally happens to those who abandon themselves to pleasure, before he had run half his course. He was scarce above twenty years old when he ascended the throne, and reigned but seventeen years. He was succeeded by Ptolemy Epiphanes his son, then five years old.

SEQUEL

OF THE

THE

HISTORY

OF

ALEXANDER's SUCCESSORS,

38 00.

204.

CHAPTER I.

SECT. I. Ptolemy Epiphanes succeeds Philopator his father in the kingdom of Egypt

Antiochus

and Philip enter into an alliance to invade his dominions. The Romans become guardians of the young king. Antiochus subdues Palestine and Cælosyria. The war of Philip against the Athenians, Atialus, and the Rhodians. He besieges Abydos. The unhappy fate of that city. The Romans declare war against Philip. Sulpitius the consul is sent into Macedonia.

A.M. I RELATED in the preceding book how Ptolemy Ant. J. C. Philopator, worn out with riots and excesses, had come to his end, after having reigned seventeen years. As the only persons present when that monarch expired were Agathocles, his sister, and their creatures, they concealed his death as long as possible from the public, in order that they might have time to carry off all the money, jewels, and other

Justin. 1. xxx. c. 2. Polyb. 1. xv. p. 712–720.

valuable effects in the palace. They also formed a plan to maintain the authority they had enjoyed under the late king, by usurping the regency during the minority of his son, named Ptolemy Epiphanes, who was then but five years old. They imagined this might be easily done, if they could but take off Tlepolemus, who had succeeded Sosibes in the ministry; and accordingly they concerted measures to dispatch him.

At last they informed the public of the king's death. Immediately a great council of the Macedonians was assembled, in which Agathocles and Agathoclea were present. Agathocles, after shedding abundance of tears, begins by imploring their protection for the young king, whom he held in his arms. He told them that his royal father, in his expiring moments, had committed him to the care of Agathoclea, whom he pointed out to them; and had recommended him to the fidelity of the Macedonians. That for this reason he was come to implore their assistance against Tlepolemus, who, as he had certain advice, had formed a design of usurping the crown. He added, that he had brought witnesses expressly to prove his treason, and at the same time offered to produce them. He imagined that by this weak artifice, Tlepolemus would be immediately dispatched, and that in consequence he might easily obtain the regency; but the artifice was too gross, and the people immediately swore the destruction of Agathocles, his sister, and all their creatures. This last attempt recalling to their remembrance their other crimes, all the inhabitants of Alexandria rose against them. The young king was taken out of their hands, and seated on the throne in Hippodrome. After which Agathocles, his sister, and Einanthe his mother, were brought

Polybius gives this name to the Alexandrians who descended from the Macedonians, and the posterity of the founders of Alexandria, or of those to whom the same privileges had been granted.

359