Battle of Gaza (312 BC)

Battle of Gaza
Part of the Third war of the Diadochi
Date 312 BC Location Gaza Result Ptolemaic victory
Belligerents
Ptolemy I of Egypt	Demetrius I of Macedon
Commanders and leaders
Ptolemy I of Egypt, Seleucus I Nicator, Berenice I of Egypt	Demetrius I of Macedon
Strength
18,000 infantry, 4,000 cavalry	12,500 infantry, 4,400 cavalry, 43 war elephants
Casualties and losses
Unknown	500 killed, 8,000 captured, 43 war elephants

The Battle of Gaza was a battle of the Third war of the Diadochi between Ptolemy (satrap of Egypt) and Demetrius (son of Antigonus I Monophthalmus).

Ptolemy launched an invasion of Syria. With 18,000 infantry and 4,000 cavalry he arrived to Gaza in early 312 BC.

Demetrius decided to offer him battle, but was routed; losing 500 men killed, a further 8,000 taken prisoner, and losing all his elephants. He retreated to Tripolis in Phoenicia.

Demetrius:

• left wing: 2,900 cavalry, 1,500 light infantry and 30 war elephants under Demetrius command
• center: 11,000 infantry phalanx and 13 elephants
• right wing: 1,500 cavalry

Ptolemy:

• left wing: 3,000 cavalry
• center: 18,000 phalanx
• right wing: 1,000 cavalry

External links

• Lecture Notes for Week Fourteen

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