After the death of Alexander the Great in 323 his empire fell into small pieces. These pieces eventually came together, or were split up again, until three kingdoms were founded. Macedon was ruled by the dynasty of the Antigonids, Egypt was ruled by the dynasty of the Seleucids, and large areas came in control of the Seleucids. A period of stability started, but after a while the different kingdoms started to fight eachother as they still had a hunger for more power.

The kingdom of the Ptolomies, or Egypt, had two vulnerable spots: the traderoute from the north over the Mediteranean, and another one from the north-east through the Sinai. To secure this second traderoute, and to prevent that the Seleucids would invade Egypt, they controlled Palestine and southern Syria in Asia Minor. Still, the kingdom of the Seleucids wanted to expand and there were several conflicts between both kingdoms.

The battle.

The Battle of Raphia, 217 B.C.
Ptolemaios	Antiochus
Cavalry
4700 horses 73 elephants	6000 horses 102 elephants
Infantry
68000	56500
Peltasts
2000	7000

Both parties had placed their armies in a way which was quite traditional for that period in history. The phalanx formed the center, and was protected by heavy cavalry on the sides. However, the cavalry was most of all used to break the formation of the enemy with a concentrated charge. A little in front of the wings were war-elephants placed with a guard of archers and peltasts. The war-elephants were very dangerous, but they could also become extremely dangerous to friendly forces once it was out of control. That is why it always was guarded by light troops. Still, war-elephants were commonly used as a few of them could stop a massive attack of the cavalry.

Antiochus, leader of the kingdom of Seleucids, attacks with his elephants the left wing of Ptolemaios. He manages to push the elephants of Ptolemaios back as he used the Indian elephant which was bigger than the African elephant used by the Ptolomies. The African elephants retreat and create a chaos in the left wing of the Ptolomies. Antiochus notices this and charges forward with his heavy cavalry. The chaos in the left wing of the Ptolomies only increases when Antiochus attacks them, and soon the wing is isolated from the rest of the army. Antiochus starts to hunt down the fleeing forces.

However, Ptolemaios has not lost the battle yet. His left wing might have been swept away, but he decides to attack with his right wing. He wants to use his elephants in the first wave of the attack, but they refuse to attack. Ptolemaios realises that attacking an army who has elephants, is very dangerous if you do not have any elephants yourself anymore. He decides to even the odds and sents his cavalry forwards which manages to lure away the Indian elephants. Once these elephants are gone the phalanx of his left wing moves forwards and attacks the Arabians in the army of the Seleucids. At the same time his cavalry turns around and attacks the enemy also. With the help of the elephants, who are suddenly willing to attack, they crush the left wing of the Seleucids.

Ptolemaios takes cover behind the center of his army and motivates his soldiers. Together they attack the center of Antiochus, who is still hunting down the fleeing left wing of the Ptolomies. The Egyptian phalanx is bigger and defeats the Seleucid center. Antiochus was informed about the events on the battlefield and had stopped his pursuit and turned around. Unfortunately for him he returns just in time to conclude that his army is fleeing. He has only his right wing left, and decides not to risk another attack.

Antiochus had lost 10000 footsoldiers, 300 horses, and 5 elephants. Ptolemaios on his turn lost 1500 men, 700 horses, and 16 elephants.

The results of the battle.