Sixth Syrian War

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Was one of the wars between the Seleucid Kingdom and the Ptolemaic Kingdom over the domain in the Levant.

Chronology

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1. Conquest of Pelusium

The Seleucids conquered Pelusium, in Egypt.

December 170 BC: The Seleucids, led by King Antiochus IV, captured the strategic city of Pelusium in -170. This victory allowed the Seleucid Kingdom to expand its territory and exert control over key trade routes in the region.

2. Egypt becomes a Seleucid puppet state

Seleucid King Antiochus took Egyptian King Ptolemy VI (who was his nephew) under his guardianship, giving him effective control of Ptolemaic Egypt. .

December 169 BC: The Egyptians realised their folly in starting the war, Eulaeus and Lenaeus were overthrown and replaced by two new regents, Comanus and Cineas, and envoys were sent to negotiate a peace treaty with Antiochus. Antiochus took Ptolemy VI (who was his nephew) under his guardianship, giving him effective control of Egypt.

3. Revolt of Egypt against the Seleucids

Egypt revolted against Antiochus IV and expelled the Seleucids.

January 168 BC: The people of Alexandria proclaimed Ptolemy Physcon as sole king. Antiochus besieged Alexandria but he was unable to cut communications to the city so, at the end of 169, he withdrew his army.

4. Intervention of Rome in the Sixth Syrian War

Due to the intervention of Rome, the Seleucid King Antiochus IV was forced to leave the territories conquered from the Ptolemaic Kingdom during the Sixth Syrian War.

January 167 BC: At Eleusis, on the outskirts of the capital, Antiochus met Popilius Laenas, with whom he had been friends during his stay in Rome. But instead of a friendly welcome, Popilius offered the king an ultimatum from the Senate: he must evacuate Egypt and Cyprus immediately. Antiochus begged to have time to consider but Popilius drew a circle round him in the sand with his cane and told him to decide before he stepped outside it. Antiochus chose to obey the Roman ultimatum. The "Day of Eleusis" ended the Sixth Syrian War and Antiochus' hopes of conquering Egyptian territory.