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The Syrian Wars were a series of six wars between the Seleucid Empire and the Ptolemaic Egypt during the 3rd century BC over the region of Coele-Syria, one of the few avenues into Egypt.

First Syrian War (274-271)

A decade into his rule, Ptolemy II faced Antiochus I, the Seleucid king. Ptolemy proved to be a forceful ruler and skilled general. In addition, his recent marriage to his court-wise sister Arsinoe had stabilized the volatile Egyptian court, allowing Ptolemy to successfully carry out the campaign. Some feminist interpretations of history even claim that it was Arsinoe's brains and talent which won the war.

The First Syrian War was a major victory for the Ptolemies. Antiochus took the Ptolemaic controlled areas in coastal Syria and southern Anatolia in his initial rush. Ptolemy reconquered these territories by 271 BC, extending Ptolemaic rule as far as Caria and into most of Cilicia. With Ptolemy's eye focused eastward, his half-brother Magas declared his province of Cyrenaica to be independent. It would remain independent until 250 BC, when it was reabsorbed into the Ptolemaic Kingdom.

Second Syrian War (260-253?)

Antiochus II succeeded his father in 261 BC, and thus began a new war for Syria. He reached an agreement with the current Antigonid king in Macedon, Antigonus Gonatas, who were also interested in pushing Ptolemy II out of the Aegean. With Macedon's support, Antiochus II launched an attack on Ptolemaic outposts in Asia.

Most of the information about the Second Syrian War has been lost. It is clear that Antigonus' fleet defeated Ptolemy's at the Battle of Cos in 256 BC, although Ptolemy had by no means lost all his naval power. Ptolemy appears to have lost ground in Cilicia, Pamphylia, and [[Ionia], while Antiochus regained Miletus and Ephesus. Macedon's involvement in the war ceased when Antigonus became preoccupied by the rebellion of Corinth and Chalcis in 253 BC, possibly instigated by Ptolemy, as well as an increase in enemy activity along Macedon's northern frontier.

The war was concluded around 253 BC with the marriage of Antiochus to Ptolemy's daughter, Berenice Syra. Antiochus divorced his previous wife, Laodice, and turned over substantial domain to her. He died in Ephesus in 246 BC, some say poisoned by Laodice. Ptolemy II died in the same year.

Third Syrian War (246-241)

Also known as the Laodicean War, the Third Syrian War pitted Ptolemy III

Effects of the Syrian Wars

~

Sources and further reading

Green, Peter. Alexander to Actium: The Historical Evolution of the Hellenistic Age. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1990.

Syrian wars can also refer to the Roman war against Antiochus III.

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 [[Antiochus II Theos|Antiochus II]] succeeded his father in [[261 BC]], and thus began a new war for Syria. He reached an agreement with the current [[Antigonid dynasty|Antigonid king]] in [[Macedon]], [[Antigonus Gonatas]], who were also interested in pushing Ptolemy II out of the Aegean. With Macedon's support, Antiochus II launched an attack on Ptolemaic outposts in Asia.
-Most of the information about the Second Syrian War has been lost. It is clear that Antigonus' fleet defeated Ptolemy's at the [[Battle of Cos]] in [[256 BC]]. Ptolemy appears to have lost ground in Cilicia, [[Pamphylia]], and [[Ionia], while Antiochus regained [[Miletus]] and [[Ephesus]]. Macedon's involvement in the war ceased when Antigonus became preoccupied by the rebellion of [[Corinth]] and [[Chalcis]] in [[253 BC]], possibly instigated by Ptolemy, as well as an increase in enemy activity along Macedon's northern frontier.
+Most of the information about the Second Syrian War has been lost. It is clear that Antigonus' fleet defeated Ptolemy's at the [[Battle of Cos]] in [[256 BC]], although Ptolemy had by no means lost all his naval power. Ptolemy appears to have lost ground in Cilicia, [[Pamphylia]], and [[Ionia], while Antiochus regained [[Miletus]] and [[Ephesus]]. Macedon's involvement in the war ceased when Antigonus became preoccupied by the rebellion of [[Corinth]] and [[Chalcis]] in [[253 BC]], possibly instigated by Ptolemy, as well as an increase in enemy activity along Macedon's northern frontier.
 The war was concluded around [[253 BC]] with the marriage of Antiochus to Ptolemy's daughter, [[Berenice (Seleucid queen)|Berenice Syra]]. Antiochus divorced his previous wife, [[Laodice I|Laodice]], and turned over substantial domain to her. He died in Ephesus in [[246 BC]], some say poisoned by Laodice. Ptolemy II died in the same year.