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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.
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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

2. Raphia, 217 BC Strength Seleucids Well Egyptians Well
Antiochus III the Great
Ptolemy IV
55,000 infantry
68,000 infantry
7,000 peltasts
2,000 peltasts
6,000 cavalry
5,000 cavalry
102 war elephants
73 war elephants
By Jonathan Webb, 2009

3. Mediterranean c. 218 BC

4. 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)

5. (Antiochus III the Great)
The presence of Ptolemy to his already superior infantry is invaluable; he leads his two infantry phalanxes forward to defeat the outmatched Seleucid infantry phalanx outright. The Seleucid infantry rout from the battlefield before Antiochus can return from his cavalry pursuit.
The Egyptian and Seleucid left wings are both defeated by superior right wings and driven back. However, Antiochus continues to personally pursue the routed Egyptian left wing while Ptolemy extricates himself from the situation to take command of his infantry phalanx, boosting its morale.
Antiochus surges forward with the rest of his right wing to take advantage of the Egyptian left wing’s disorder, driving it backwards. Ptolemy’s right wing also surges forward in accordance with his orders in the event of collapse on the left wing. The inferior Egyptian war elephant force does not charge until the cavalry and infantry – carefully evading the Seleucid war elephants – drive the Seleucid left wing back.
Antiochus opens the battle with an attack by his war elephants on his right wing. The more numerous Seleucid war elephants defeat their Egyptian counterparts, which then retreat and disrupt the infantry and cavalry formations of Ptolemy’s left wing.
Antiochus and Ptolemy deploy their armies in a standard formation: infantry at the center, cavalry on the wings, and war elephants on both wings ahead of the main line accompanied by peltasts. Both commanders strengthen their right wings, Antiochus’ with cavalry and Ptolemy’s with 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 phalanx to win the battle at the center. Antiochus and Ptolemy position themselves on opposing wings to begin the battle.
Seleucids
(Antiochus)
Symbol guide
Seleucids Egyptians
Phalanx Phalanx
Infantry Infantry
Peltasts Peltasts
Cavalry Cavalry
War elephants War elephants
Egyptians
(Ptolemy IV)
68,000 infantry
2,000 peltasts
5,000 cavalry
102 war elephants
Seleucids
(Antiochus III the Great)
55,000 infantry
7,000 peltasts
6,000 cavalry
73 war elephants
Egyptians
(Ptolemy)

6. Raphia, 217 BC Casualties & Aftermath
Seleucids:
Egyptians:
14,300 or
19%
2,200 or 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

7. The Art of Battle: Animated Battle Maps
By Jonathan Webb, 2009