3. The Syrian Wars Begin 11:5-10
11:5a “Then the king of the South shall become strong”
He is a boyhood friend of Alexander the Great, son of a Macedonian named Lagus. Taken into Alexander’s army he slowly rises within the ranks, in the general group of the “king’s bodyguards”, then the one and only bodyguard, under which office he captures the
assassin of Darius III on that long march. He is made a general. He is decorated many times, and becomes commander of the Macedonian fleet. He is Ptolemy.
At the death of the mighty conqueror, it is he who suggests at the Babylon council that the satrapies be divided among the generals. Ptolemy is appointed “satrap” of Egypt, using the Persian political division as a starting place. He plants well. His piece of the pie lasts longer than all the rest, until 30 BC.In 321, Ptolemy orders his men to bring Alexander’s body to be buried in Egypt. From this he expects political and even religious advantage. The immediate result is less encouraging. The furious Perdiccas, poised to take over the entire Empire, marches against him, but is de- feated. When the dust settles, Ptolemy has added not only nearby Palestine, but also some northern portions of “Syria”, if only for awhile.
During much of this early period, Ptolemy has allied himself with Antigonus. Later he fears his power and joins men in similar situations to his own, satrap- minded rather than Empire- minded, to defeat Antigonus.
Following in Alexander’s steps at least partially, Ptolemy tries to connect to the Egyp- tians by marrying the daughter of the former Pharaoh. Of course, the most recent “Pharaoh” is none other than Alexander himself, crowned such in 331, shortly before creating Alexandria in his own honor. He never sees this city again, but Ptolemy follows up, and chooses this city over history- laden Memphis as his capital. This, in 320.
Two other women are to add to his power and content. His position is strengthened by marriage to Eurydice, the daughter of Antipater. But his affection seems to lean more to his own half-sister, the much younger Berenice, great granddaughter of the same Antipater. In 290, she becomes Queen of Egypt.
How he is able to fuse his worship of Zeus to the standard gods of Egypt is the story of the cult of Sarapis. In short we say simply that the man was “all things to all men” as a true Alexandrian had to be. The Romans would later follow this let- live policy. Seleucus in the North carried it to even greater extremes.
Before his 40 years of reign end, Ptolemy I has jurisdiction over Libya, Cyrenaica, Ara- bia, parts of Syria, parts of Asia Minor, Cyprus, even a few Greek cities such as Corinth. The first 18 years he is general and satrap, but the last 22 he is “Soter”, Saviour, beginning in 305 when he declares himself king. The title is added in 304 when he is able to “save” the people of Rhodes from Antigonus.
Though defeated by Antigonus in 306, he is generally victorious in battle , and no better example of how easy this could be than this one from Palestine: According to Josephus, his en- try to that land is clothed in deceit. He enters on the Sabbath day, supposedly to offer sacrifice. But soon the city itself is a sacrifice to Zeus, as Ptolemy begins a reign of cruelty in the Holy Land. Though the start is bad, the captives taken to Egypt are raised to the privilege level of Macedonians. Jewish settlers there learn Greek and start a new life.
Alexandria, under this general-turned-Pharaoh, becomes a fountain head of culture, art, and learning. He founds a library and builds a lighthouse, “Pharos”, that becomes one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world. And as a historian, Ptolemy details much of Alexander’s cam- paign.
There can be no question that the king of the South, whether measured by war or peace- time, became strong. At his death he is raised to the god level by appreciative Egyptians.
11:5b “as well as one of his princes”
At about the same time as Ptolemy, there rises to power one Seleucus , the son of An- tiochus, a general of Philip II . Seleucus has been one of Alexander’s most trusted generals, and now he takes the side of Perdiccas, who seems to be in line after Alexander, and who is one that might keep Alexander’s ideals. When it becomes obvious that Perdiccas, like all the others,is after only his own power, he joins the group of Diadochi that kills Perdiccas. One of those with whom he now allies himself is Ptolemy, whom he has only recently tried to oust.
In 321, Antipater, the new figurehead of power, appoints Seleucus governor of Babylon and points east. A few years later he is used to head up a campaign against Eumenes, a sup- porter of Perdiccas and his ways. By 316, he leads Eumenes to his execution but has a falling out with Antigonus, and is driven out by him. He is allowed to flee into the care of Ptolemy, as mentioned before. This relationship lasts around 4 years, with Seleucus slowly putting his plans in order, consolidating power bases, making connections. He is certainly not fully comfortable with Ptolemy, but bides his time, waiting for the moment to strike back. He is the one respons i- ble during this time for forging a coalition among Ptolemy, Lysimachus, Cassander, and of course himself. Seleucus is now made one of Ptolemy’s “princes”, or generals, in a war against Demetrius, son of Antigonus.
In 312, he defeats Demetrius at Gaza, using troops supplied by Ptolemy. He then re- turns to his own region, and allies himself with, among others, Chandragupta, an Indian mo n- arch. Here is one of those parts of the kingdom which have been uprooted even for others be- sides these (v. 4) . Alexander, even while living, and his men later, were not able to control all conquered areas. They did not even conquer some areas. So with men like Chandragupta, it is time for terms, not termination. The negotiations are so friendly that the Indian sends 500 ele- phants to help Seleucus defeat Antigonus.
312 is the date given for the founding of the Seleucid Empire. Upon his return to the area, he takes Babylonia and establishes his turf. In 305 he calls himself “king” as the other generals are beginning to do.
As already recorded, the Battle of Ipsus (301), fought by the re- formed coalition de- scribed above, finally takes Antigonus out of the picture, and allows Seleucus a free hand in this vast region of the former Empire. More rivals come and go, but the claim holds. Not satis- fied even yet, Seleucus defeats and kills Lysimachus in 281, the date others give as the end of the Diadochi struggles. That date, because, when he goes to Thrace to claim his new land, he too is assasinated , by the Son of Ptolemy I, who has died the year before. This particular son is a bit disgruntled since he , Ptolemy Ceraunus, has been passed over as the next ruler of Egypt.
So, Ptolemy and Seleucus gone. Lysimachus gone. Cassander gone. The number of divi- sions of the Empire is frozen at four. Just like God said.
And about Seleucus, God also said,
11:5c “ and he shall gain power over him and have dominion . His dominion shall be a great dominion.”
He, him, his. But no names. History fills in the names. Seleucus , who reigns from the year 312 to 280, the king of the “north” in relation to Israel, reigns over (in today’s terms) Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Turkey, Armenia, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajiki- stan. His three capitals are Antioch of Syria, Seleucia in Iraq, on the Tigris River, and Babylon in that same territory. His is a continuation of three major empires, the Babylonian, Assyrian, and Persian. It will be known as the Seleucid Empire by historians from this point on. One his- torian counts 72 separate kingdoms that became one under Seleucus.
Though Syria, all of it, is assigned to Seleucus originally, Ptolemy has already occupied parts of it, especially the lower parts like Palestine and Lebanon. Though at first Seleucus does not enforce his claim, perhaps out of something like civility for all the years spent working with Ptolemy, the Seleucids will eventually make a major issue of the Syrian border. In fact most of this prophecy is taken up with this matter. The Syrian Wars are at the heart of the vision of Daniel.
Anyway , he, Seleucus Nicator (conqueror), eventually gains power over him, Ptolemy (and later Seleucids will have even greater sway over later Ptolemies) . His (Seleucus’) domin- ion is a great dominion.
11:6a “And at the end of some years”
It is in fact about 28 years from the death of Seleucus Nicator (280) until the events de- scribed in this verse. After he is murdered, seeking to take Thrace as his own, his son Antio- chus I reigns. He is the son also of an Iranian princess, Apama. Seleucus, it seems, has been the most obedient to the vision of Alexander for a new world order, mixing the peoples of earth, East and West, into one. The wife assigned him by Alexander, he keeps.
Antiochus begins his reign by paying proper, though to us improper, homage to his dad. He orders that Seleucus be venerated as Zeus Nicator, the conquering God. But Antiochus would have been a bit of a disappointment to Dad in other ways. Though he, like Ptolemy I, is called “Soter”, he has a hard time “saving” the empire from major shrinkage.
There are independence move ments in North Anatolia (Asia Minor), threats of war from Macedonia, and a directed harrassment from a mass of 20,000 Gauls that cross over into Asia Minor. He eventually defeats them and earns his “Soter” badge. But there is a lessening of strength, and it is helped along by an attack from the new king of the South, Ptolemy Philadel- phus. There is war from 274-271, but nothing decisive happens. This is the First Syrian War.
Philadelphus, for his part, still seems to have the upper hand in the North-South relatio n- ship. He has learned well from papa how to relate to anyone born of Seleucus, and in fact is co- regent with his father for the first 2-3 years of the reign. His name, “brother- loving” may have reference to the fact that he marries his full sister, Arsinoe II, in 276. Thirteen years before, he had married Arsinoe I, but he bansishes this daughter of Lysimachus when politics intervene. Dad had his mini-harem too. Also like Father, Philadelphus is a man interested in building a great people and a great land. One of his best known projects is the building of a canal linking the Nile to the Gulf of Suez.
Like the Seleucids, this King is a devotee of the ruler cult and promotes the divinity of all Egyptian rulers. It is said that the Romans were later influenced by what they saw along these lines in the “Successor States”.
His father’s peace with the Jews is likewise passed on. The high priest and company in Israel are permitted to become a political power just under Ptolemy. As long as the taxes are kept paid, the Jews fare well. Josephus relates the history of the Septuagint Scriptures spon- sored by Philadelphus. Ptolemy and high priest Eleazar exchange letters, creating the plan to send 6 elders of every tribe of Israel to Alexandria for the express purpose of translating the Hebrew Scriptures into Greek.
In 261, another Antiochus, named Theos or “God”, begins his reign in Antioch. He im- mediately declares war on Ptolemy, in what is called the Second Syrian War. Perhaps this is in response to yet more shrinkage of the Seleucid Empire, a desperate attempt to save face. The conflict stretches on to about 253. Then it is clear that the only way for both sides to resolve this mess is if
11:6b “they shall join forces”
The Lagidae and the Seleucidae need to get together, to form an alliance. The tool in this plan is again a young lady, Berenice, daughter of Ptolemy II.
11:6c “for the daughter of the king of the South shall go to the king of the North to make an agreement”
Trouble is, Antiochus II (Theos) already has a wife! Her name is Laodice. His love and affection for her is so great that he names a city after her, Laodicea. But Ptolemy insists. The affairs of state must take precedence over our petty desires. Take the woman. So in 252, he takes her, after a bitter divorce from Laodice. It is not clear to me why two wives could not be kept on, as was the normal thing in this situation. It could be that Laodice was the perpetrator of the divorce in reaction to her husband’s proposed unfaithfulness. It must be an awful thing to be replaced by a political statement,
11:6d “ but she shall not retain the power of her authority”
Berenice’s new position as queen of the former “enemy” territory is short- lived, maybe
5-6 years. Berenice is divorced and sent away. Laodice is recalled, like the benched quarterback who must fill in for the new star who has broken his leg. Antiochus has made a serious misjud g- ment of women, or at least of this one,
11:6e “and neither he nor his authority shall stand.”
The man Antiochus must die. The king Antiochus must be replaced. Poison will take care of both. And we might want to think this horror will not extend to Egypt
11:6f “ but she shall be given up”
In fact, Berenice is given up to death along with her infant son, who would have been Antiochus III. All that had a part in this plan, the father Ptolemy, who dies shortly after Berenice is sent away, the poisoned husband Antiochus, the nobles that accompany Berenice from Egypt , are all dead. That’s what God said would happen: She will die
11:6g “with those who brought her, and with him who begot her, and with him who strengthened her in those times.”
Laodice, her thirst for blood temporarily assuaged, sets her son from Antiochus on the throne. History will remember him as Seleucus Callinicus. The year is 246.
11:7a “But from a branch of her roots one shall arise in his place”
Ptolemy III is next in line in Egypt. He is called “the benefactor” or Euergetes in Greek. His reign begins in 246, and he is definitely a branch of Berenice’s parental roots. That’s a spe- cial way of saying, “her brother.” And he arose in the place of his father at his death. He must obviously be the one
11:7b “who shall come with an army” Euergetes and with him all of Egypt is outraged at Laodice’s killing of Berenice and their son. The so-called “Laodicean War” or Third Syrian War, 246-241 ensues as he must
11:7c “enter the fortress of the king of the North,”
Seleucus II Callinicus, the weak-kneed leader of the Syrian effort now. His reign also begins in 246, as both powers lose their government in the same few months. He soon yields up his very capital to Euergetes, who has come to
11:7d “deal with them and prevail”
It won’t be the only loss of Seleucus II, nor the only win of Ptolemy III, but it is quite typical. Seleucus is suffering from the se external pressures during his 20+ years in office, and also from internal revolts. The pesky Laodice, about whom the war is being fought, and who happens to be his mother, sets him up against his own brother, Antiochus the “hawk”, in Asia Minor! The resulting “War of the Brothers” results in a division of the Kingdom which takes the two following administrations to heal.
Bactria (Afghanistan) and then Parthia (Iran) break away. Though Seleucus’ other name Callinicus means “gloriously victorious”, he isn’t. The Empire of his first namesake has shrunk to its very lowest. He himself will die a prisoner in Parthia about 226. At least one source adds that he dies from a fall from a horse. And this all happens several years before Ptolemy meets his Creator (221), as His Creator foretold in v. 8b. (see below)
If one is keeping score, it would be proper to give Seleucus Callinicus at least one point in his favor: his son, Antiochus the Great, who leads a revival of the Seleucid event. But that’s still 2 kings away. He will be succeeded by Seleucus III, who after a 3-year reign will succumb to brother Antiochus.
Back to Ptolemy, for now. He’s on a roll. First on his agenda,
11:8a “he shall carry their gods captive to Egypt, with their princes [footnote, molded images] and their precious articles of silver and gold”
It is said that what Euergetes actually discovers in Syria are long- lost idols and sacred treasures that had been stolen from Egypt by none other than Cambyses of Persia, in 524 BC!
But in the midst of all the deep penetration into Syrian territory, Ptolemy is called back to Egypt due to domestic troubles. He certainly would have taken all of Syria had he been given the time. But then history would not have worked itself out as God foresaw.
When Ptolemy goes home, Seleucus , now with some allies, recaptures much of the ter- ritory. The hand of God is keeping these powers separate for a reason.
But at least, as noted,
11:8b “he shall continue more years than the king of the North.”
(see comments on 7d) In just a few years, 240, Syria has regrouped and recovered, so
11:9 “Then the king of the North shall come to the kingdom of the king of the South, but shall return to his own land.”
Yes, Callinicus tries an all-out attack on Ptolemy. But he is beaten again, and tail be- tween his legs has to move quickly back to Mama and safety, such as it is. A measure of peace prevails from 240 until 221, when Euergetes is dead. Dying with Euergetes seems to be also the expansionist ways of Egypt. Though Ptolemy III has been a great success, and brought new wealth to his people, the tides seem to be turning toward the North.
Upon his death, 221, wife Berenice II becomes joint heir with her son, Ptolemy IV. For this effort, Ptolemy has her murdered. And before his own surprise death in 203, he will have killed not only Mom, but Brother, Uncle, and maybe Sister, who doubled as Wife. Disfunction rules in these Macedonian families.
11:10a “However his sons shall stir up strife”
His sons are Seleucus III Soter (these names seem to re-appear every few years, some- times in North, sometimes in South) and Antiochus III “Magnus”, that is, “The Great”.
Seleucus is a weak king, but wants very much to recover what his father has lost. He tries indeed, but lacking skills of leadership, he cannot rule his own army, and is so disrespected as to finally be poisoned by his “friends.” His entire reign is about 3 years, 226-223.
Brother Antiochus is a different story. He takes the throne upon Seleucus’ tragic death, as a boy in his late teens. Though so young, he has already gained valuable experience as a go v- ernor of Babylonia under his brother. He immediately tries to conquer Ptolemy.
So both sons stir up strife against Egypt. Both
11:10b “assemble a multitude of great forces; and one shall certainly come and ove r- whelm and pass through”
Notice how the text starts with a plurality but ends in the singular. Seleucus tries and fails. Now Antiochus’ major effort is recorded. In advance, of course.
Before documenting the anti- Egypt campaign, I should first re- introduce the ruler of Egypt in these days. Ptolemy IV Philopater (father love?!) , the family murderer , is the most cruel and vicious of the Ptolemies. He is called a drunk, and it is recorded that he is completely under the control of his “favorites” at the court.
On his cruel side, he especially hates the Jews and persecutes them without mercy. It is easy to understand why Israel in general turns toward the north for help.
The stage is now set for the Fourth Syrian War. Antiochus Magnus at first defeats Philopater and begins to take territory north of Egypt, as far as Gaza. Tyre and Ptolemais are his. In 218 his is Lebanon and Palestine, and Phoenicia.
11:10c “Then he shall return to his fortress and stir up strife”
It is said that while Antiochus is besieging Dora, he is forced to retire to Ptolemais for the winter. Then in the spring of 217, Ptolemy,
