Theodotus of Aetolia

Theodotus (

Egypt

.

Theodotus was an able general, and repulsed with ease the first attack made by the king of

Ptolemais to the Seleucid monarch, whom he immediately joined with the forces under his command. Another of Ptolemy's generals, Nicolaus, prevented Theodotus' plans from being fully effected, and he was able to retain a part of the Syrian provinces under the allegiance of Egypt.^[1]

Theodotus enjoyed a high place in the favour with the Syrian king. In the campaign of 217 BC, Theodotus commanded a body of ten thousand select troops, and just before the Battle of Raphia he demonstrated his daring by penetrating with only two companions into the heart of the Egyptian camp, in order to assassinate Ptolemy himself. Mistaking the king's tent, Theodotus slew Ptolemy's physician instead, but escaped safely, returning to the Syrian camp.^[2]

Again in 215 BC Theodotus exhibited equal audacity in supporting the daring project of Lagoras to scale the walls of the city of Sardis, the success of which seems to have been in great measure owing to Theodotus' skill and ability.^[3]

References

Evelyn S. Shuckburgh (translator); London - New York
, (1889)

Smith, William (editor); Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology, "Theodotus (5)", Boston, (1867)

Notes

^ Polybius, Histories, v. 40, 46, 61, 62
^ Polybius, Histories, v. 66, 79, 81
^ Polybius, Histories, vii. 16-18

This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Smith, William, ed. (1870). Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology. {{cite encyclopedia}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)

[poly_5.40_46_61_62-1] Polybius, Histories, v. 40, 46, 61, 62

[poly_5.66_79_81-2] Polybius, Histories, v. 66, 79, 81

[poly_7.16-18-3] Polybius, Histories, vii. 16-18

[1]

[2]

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