Siege of Bactra
Siege of Bactra | |||||||
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Map showing Balkh (here indicated as Bactres), the capital of Bactria | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
Seleucid Empire | Greco-Bactrian Kingdom | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Antiochus III the Great | Euthydemus I |
The siege of Bactra was a siege of the
The Seleucids besieged the capital of Bactria until concerning news from the west of his dominions and lack of progress against the city led the Seleucid ruler Antiochus III to negotiate a peace treaty with the Bactrian king Euthydemus and lift the siege. It was agreed that Antiochus would recognize Euthydemus as an ally, and he gave one of his daughters as a wife to Demetrius, Euthydemus' heir.
Siege and peace
The Greco-Bactrians had recently been defeated at the
After two years' laying siege to Bactra, Antiochus' fortunes to the west of his empire had deteriorated to the point where he decided to withdraw from the siege. Euthydemus then sent his son, Demetrius, as his representative to negotiate a peace treaty. Impressed at Demetrius' behaviour and bearing which was seen as worthy of that of a member of the royalty, Antiochus offered him one of his daughters and agreed to a peace treaty.[2]
As a part of the peace treaty, Euthydemus gave Antiochus elephants[3] which Antiochus, along with his own, may have used at the Battle of Magnesia.
References
- ^ Polybius. Histories.
After this battle Euthydemus retreated in dismay with his army to the city of Zariaspa.
- ^ Polybius. Histories.
Antiochus received the young prince; and judging from his appearance, conversation, and the dignity of his manners that he was worthy of royal power, he first promised to give him one of his own daughters, and secondly conceded the royal title to his father.
- ^ Polybius. Histories.
adding to his own the elephants belonging to Euthydemus.