Battle of Raphia
217 BCE · Raphia (modern Gaza–Egypt border) · World · Ancient
The war elephants of both sides clashed with mixed results, and the Ptolemaic infantry phalanx finally routed the main Seleucid infantry in the center.
Belligerents
Ptolemaic Egypt
- Commanders
- Ptolemy IV
- Strength
- Ptolemaic army of about 70,000, including African war elephants
Seleucus
- Commanders
- Antiochus III
- Strength
- Seleucid army of about 68,000, including Indian war elephants
Background
The Seleucid and Ptolemaic successor kingdoms fought the Fourth Syrian War over the Levantine coast, and Raphia was its decisive battle.
Course of the battle
- Elephant lines clash on both flanksBoth sides' war elephants charge first on the flanks
- Phalanx against phalanxInfantry phalanxes in the center fight a decisive frontal battle
- Seleucid army retreatsSeleucid main infantry routed and retreating
Outcome at a glance
| Date | 217 BCE |
|---|---|
| Place | Raphia (on the modern Gaza-Egypt border) |
| Result | The war elephants of both sides clashed with mixed results, and the Ptolemaic infantry phalanx finally routed the main Seleucid infantry in the center. |
| Winner | Ptolemaic Egypt |
| Casualties | Both sides suffered heavy losses, the Seleucid army more so. |
| Territorial change | The Ptolemies kept control of southern Syria (Coele-Syria), and the front temporarily returned to its prewar state. |
Impact
One of the largest recorded battles between war elephants, and a turning point at which the Ptolemaic dynasty came to rely on native Egyptian troops.
See the world in 217 BCE on the map →