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Sixth Syrian War (170–168)
The causes of this conflict are obscure. In 170, Eulaeus and Lenaeus, the two
regents of the young king of Egypt Ptolemy VI Philometor, declared war on the
Seleucid ruler Antiochus IV Epiphanes. In the same year, Ptolemy's younger
siblings Ptolemy VIII Physcon and Cleopatra II were declared co-rulers in order
to bolster the unity of Egypt. Military operations did not begin until 169 when
Antiochus quickly gained the upper hand, seizing the important strategic town
of Pelusium. 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. However, this was unacceptable to the people of
Alexandria who responded by proclaiming 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. In his absence, Ptolemy VI and his
brother were reconciled. Antiochus, angered at his loss of control over the
king, invaded again. The Egyptians sent to Rome asking for help and the Senate
despatched Gaius Popilius Laenas to Alexandria. Meanwhile, Antiochus had seized
Cyprus and Memphis and was marching on Alexandria. At Eleusis, on the outskirts
of the capital, he 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.
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