The first Syrian War 683-685 AUC
Over the last century Rome had repeatedly clashed with the Seleucids who had been driven from Asia Minor. Relations with Pontus and Egypt were tense but friendly as none of the powers saw any advantage to hostilities.
In this era, initially the Senate was content to avoid further entanglement in the region. As long as a rough balance of power existed between the three Hellenistic kingdoms of Pontus, Syria and Egypt it was unlikely that any would in turn be able to challenge the Republic again. The steady growth of the Parthian kingdom was welcomed as presenting a useful threat, limiting any potential Seleucid revival.
However, this feeling of detachment was steadily weakened. Egypt’s expansion in North Africa and Seleucid conquests in Armenia were signs that both powers had recovered from their defeats in the previous century. To this was added the evidence that both had abandoned the now outdated Phalanx warfare and had remodelled their military on the Roman legionary model.
But the main concern was the impact of the latest Seleucid-Parthian war. This was steadily moving in Parthia’s favour and by late 683 they had overrun all the Seleucid provinces inland from the Mediterranean.
By early 684, the situation deteriorated with the Egyptians deciding to take advantage of the Seleucid weakness
With this threat, the Senate authorised the local governors and legates to intervene.
This shift of policy proved to be very disruptive as it was the first time Rome had had to intervene without a clear plan. However, fortunately, the 5 legions in the region were sufficient to protect the Syrian coastal provinces.
However, Rome’s calculations were thrown into doubt first when the Seleucids made peace with the Parthians in Summer 684.
And with their Egyptian tormentors in September
The result was the initially disastrous Sophene campaign.
The 4th and 9th legions pushed across the Euphrates and clashed with the main Seleucid army. By early November both legions were in flight having suffered heavy losses
However, fortunately the 9th legion had set up a reserve camp on the west bank of the Euphrates. The two beaten legions were able to fall back on this secure base
In a hard fought battle, not helped by the insistence of the Cappadocian King that he was in charge, the Seleucids were driven back.
With 2 legions effectively destroyed and facing revolts in their rear, the Senate authorised peace negotiations. The rich coastal province of Phoenicia was ceded in March 685.
1
At this stage, the Senate felt it had achieved its main goals. Holding Phoenicia meant any further Egyptian advance was blocked. Equally seeing Parthia emerge as the winner of their latest war with the Seleucids was welcome as it weakened an immediate rival but overall the balance of power in the region was sustained.
However, none of the powers involved in this complex struggle felt content with the outcome. The Seleucids were determined to regain the provinces they had lost. The Egyptians and Parthians were hungry for more gains. Pontus remained caught as a close ally of both Rome and the Seleucids. Equally the Republic now held a single, isolated, province.
Over the last century Rome had repeatedly clashed with the Seleucids who had been driven from Asia Minor. Relations with Pontus and Egypt were tense but friendly as none of the powers saw any advantage to hostilities.
In this era, initially the Senate was content to avoid further entanglement in the region. As long as a rough balance of power existed between the three Hellenistic kingdoms of Pontus, Syria and Egypt it was unlikely that any would in turn be able to challenge the Republic again. The steady growth of the Parthian kingdom was welcomed as presenting a useful threat, limiting any potential Seleucid revival.
However, this feeling of detachment was steadily weakened. Egypt’s expansion in North Africa and Seleucid conquests in Armenia were signs that both powers had recovered from their defeats in the previous century. To this was added the evidence that both had abandoned the now outdated Phalanx warfare and had remodelled their military on the Roman legionary model.
But the main concern was the impact of the latest Seleucid-Parthian war. This was steadily moving in Parthia’s favour and by late 683 they had overrun all the Seleucid provinces inland from the Mediterranean.
By early 684, the situation deteriorated with the Egyptians deciding to take advantage of the Seleucid weakness
With this threat, the Senate authorised the local governors and legates to intervene.
This shift of policy proved to be very disruptive as it was the first time Rome had had to intervene without a clear plan. However, fortunately, the 5 legions in the region were sufficient to protect the Syrian coastal provinces.
However, Rome’s calculations were thrown into doubt first when the Seleucids made peace with the Parthians in Summer 684.
And with their Egyptian tormentors in September
The result was the initially disastrous Sophene campaign.
The 4th and 9th legions pushed across the Euphrates and clashed with the main Seleucid army. By early November both legions were in flight having suffered heavy losses
However, fortunately the 9th legion had set up a reserve camp on the west bank of the Euphrates. The two beaten legions were able to fall back on this secure base
In a hard fought battle, not helped by the insistence of the Cappadocian King that he was in charge, the Seleucids were driven back.
With 2 legions effectively destroyed and facing revolts in their rear, the Senate authorised peace negotiations. The rich coastal province of Phoenicia was ceded in March 685.
1
At this stage, the Senate felt it had achieved its main goals. Holding Phoenicia meant any further Egyptian advance was blocked. Equally seeing Parthia emerge as the winner of their latest war with the Seleucids was welcome as it weakened an immediate rival but overall the balance of power in the region was sustained.
However, none of the powers involved in this complex struggle felt content with the outcome. The Seleucids were determined to regain the provinces they had lost. The Egyptians and Parthians were hungry for more gains. Pontus remained caught as a close ally of both Rome and the Seleucids. Equally the Republic now held a single, isolated, province.
