Theodotos of Aetolia

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Theodotos of Aetolia was at the end of the 3rd century BC. First a general of the Egyptian king Ptolemy IV , then of the Seleucid king Antiochus III.

Life

Theodotos was the son of an Antibolus and came from Kalydon in Aetolia . After 228 BC He went into exile and entered Ptolemaic services as a general. It belonged to 221 BC. After the death of Ptolemy III. , among the supporters of the succession to the throne of Ptolemy IV, during whose brother Magas was supported by his mother Berenike II . But Theodotos murdered Magas in the bathroom and Berenike as well as other high-ranking opponents of the faction behind Ptolemy IV were killed, which settled the dispute for the throne.

221 BC Theodotos is also attested as governor in Koile Syria. At this time, the young Seleucid king Antiochus III. War against Egypt, but had to give up his attempt to break through to the south, because Theodotos had previously occupied the fortresses Gerrha and Brochoi , erected a bar there and also fortified the bottleneck on the Massyas between Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon .

This success could not prevent Theodotos from having to travel to Alexandria due to courtly intrigues and barely able to save his life. He was now in a tense relationship with the Egyptian king and distrusted his advisers. So he decided to be able to lead a safe life by converting to the Seleucids and at the same time to take revenge. At the beginning of the Fourth Syrian War he occupied 219 BC. BC Ptolemais and on his behalf the officer Panaitolus Tyros . Then he invited Antiochus III. one to take possession of Koile Syria. The Seleucid king then marched with his army near Gerrha and from there on the news that Theodotus was besieged by the new Ptolemaic provincial governor Nikolaos in Ptolemais, to the aid of the trapped. Nikolaos had to withdraw. Antiochus III. succeeded a victory over an Egyptian army, which should prevent him from occupying the gorge at Berytos . Then he moved south on the coastal road and received the city of Tire from Panaitolus and the city of Ptolemais from Theodotus. In addition, the two deserters handed over the 40 warships stored in the ports of Ptolemais and Tire to the Seleucid king. After agreeing a four-month armistice (end of 219 BC) Antiochus III appointed. Theodotos to commander in chief of the Seleucid army in Koilesyria and returned to his capital.

217 BC There was a decisive armed conflict between the Egyptians and the Seleucids. Theodotos acted as the commander of an excellent, Macedonian-style armed force that comprised 10,000 soldiers with silver shields. He attempted to assassinate the Egyptian king before the decisive battle of Raphia and for this purpose he penetrated the enemy camp with only two companions at dawn. However, he did not find Ptolemy IV in his tent. Instead, Andreas, the Egyptian king's doctor, had to lose his life. Two courtiers were also injured in the attempted attack. Theodotos could safely return to the Syrian camp. In the end, the Egyptians remained against Antiochus III. victorious.

Most recently there is news from Theodotos when he died in 214 BC. Because of his courage the Cretan Lagoras should give support in his daring conquest of Sardis .

Theodotos of Aetolia is easily confused with Theodotus Hemiolios , who was in the service of Antiochus at the same time. Since Polybius often mentions the name without any addition, the assignment of his deeds after converting to the Seleucids is not always clear.

literature

Remarks

  1. ↑ Haun Papyrus. 6, 32; Polybios 5, 36, 1; 15, 25, 1f .; Plutarch , Kleomenes 33, 5; Justin 30, 1, 2; Zenobius 4, 92.
  2. ↑ Polybios 5:40 , 1.
  3. ↑ Polybios 5, 46, 3ff.
  4. ↑ Polybios 4, 37, 5; 5, 40, 1f .; 5, 61, 3.
  5. ↑ Polybios 5, 61, 3-62, 2.
  6. ↑ Polybios 5, 66, 5.
  7. ↑ Polybios 5, 79, 4.
  8. ↑ Polybios 5, 81; 3. Maccabees 1, 2f.
  9. ↑ Polybios 7, 16ff.
personal data
SURNAME Theodotos of Aetolia
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Egyptian, later Seleucid general
DATE OF BIRTH 3rd century BC Chr.
DATE OF DEATH 3rd century BC Chr.