<head>VI. Affairs of Asia</head><head>The Situation in Bactria</head>For Euthydemus himself was a native of <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Magnesia&groupId=729&placeId=1336">Magnesia</a>, and he now, in defending himself to Teleas, said that Antiochus was not justified in attempting to deprive him of his kingdom, as he himself had never revolted against the king, but after others had revolted he had possessed himself of the throne of Bactria by destroying their descendants.
After speaking at some length in the same sense he begged Teleas to mediate between them in a friendly manner and bring about a reconciliation, entreating Antiochus not to grudge him the name and state of king,
as if he did not yield to this request, neither of them would be safe;
for considerable hordes of Nomades were approaching, and this was not only a grave danger to both of them, but if they consented to admit them, the country would certainly relapse into barbarism.
After speaking thus he dispatched Teleas to Antiochus.
The king, who had long been on the look-out for a solution of the question when he received Teleas' report, gladly consented to an accommodation owing to the reasons above stated.
Teleas went backwards and forwards more than once to both kings, and finally Euthydemus sent off his son Demetrius to ratify the agreement.
Antiochus, on receiving the young man and judging him from his appearance, conversation, and dignity of bearing to be worthy of royal rank, in the first place promised to give him one of his daughters in marriage and next gave permission to his father to style himself king.
After making a written treaty concerning other points and entering into a sworn alliance, Antiochus took his departure, serving out generous ratons of corn to his troops and adding to his own the elephants belonging to Euthydemus.
Crossing the Caucasus he descended into <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=India&groupId=648&placeId=1187">India</a> and renewed his alliance with Sophagasenus the Indian king.
Here he procured more elephants, so that his total force of them amounted now to a hundred and fifty, and after a further distribution of corn to his troops, set out himself with his army, leaving Androsthenes of Cyzicus to collect the treasure which the king had agreed to pay.
Having traversed Arachosia and crossed the river Erymanthus he reached <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Carmania&groupId=439&placeId=816">Carmania</a> through Drangene, where, as winter was now at hand, he took up his quarters.
Such was the final result of Antiochus's expedition into the interior, an expedition by which he not only brought the upper satraps under his rule, but also the maritime cities and the princes this side of Taurus.
In a word he put his kingdom in a position of safety, overawing all subject to him by his courage and industry.
It was this expected, in fact, which made him appear worthy of his throne not only to the inhabitants of Asia, but those of Europe likewise.
Walbank Commentary