Analysis of the Battle of Raphia: Background, Causes, and Consequences

The Seleucid Empire and the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt were dynasties that arose after the conquests of Alexander the Great. During the life of their dynasty, they were involved in six wars, known as the Syrian Wars, for control of the eastern Mediterranean. The Battle of Raphia took place at the end of the Fourth Syrian War between Antiochus III and Ptolemy IV in 217 BC. This battle was one of the critical and decisive confrontations in the Syrian Wars between the two great powers of the Hellenistic era. On the one hand, Antiochus III, king of the Seleucids, sought to regain the territories he had lost in previous centuries. On the other hand, Ptolemy IV and the Ptolemaic government of Egypt sought to assert their dominance over the eastern Mediterranean. Therefore, the results and consequences of this battle could affect the balance of power in the entire Mediterranean region. Based on the historical approach and on the description and analysis of the data of documents and sources, the current research seeks to answer the question: what were the causes of the Battle of Raphia and what were its results and consequences? The results of the research show that this battle was due to the domination of both sides over the eastern Mediterranean countries, especially the region of Coele-Syria; although Antiochus III was defeated in this battle, the passive policy of the Pharaoh of Egypt caused Antiochus III to revive his authority in Asia Minor and eastern Iran. On the other hand, the Egyptians had to contend with the growing power of Rome in the west and were eventually wiped out