Antiochus, on reaching the <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Euphrates&groupId=138&placeId=377">Euphrates</a>, gave his troops a rest and then resumed his march. Arriving at <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Antioch in Mygdonia&groupId=334&placeId=649">Antioch in Mygdonia</a> at about the winter solstice, he remained there, wishing to wait until the extreme rigour of the winter should be over.
After passing forty days there he went off to <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Libba&groupId=684&placeId=1253">Libba</a>,
and at a council held to determine what was the best line of advance against Molon and whence supplies for the march should be obtained — Molon being now in the neighbourhood of <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Babylon&groupId=387&placeId=320">Babylon</a> —
Hermeias advised marching along the <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Tigris&groupId=255&placeId=510">Tigris</a>, so that their flank should be covered by this river and by the Lycus and <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Caprus&groupId=436&placeId=810">Caprus</a>.
Zeuxis, having the fate of Epigenes before his eyes, was afraid of the consequences if he stated his own view, but nevertheless, as Hermeias was obviously wrong, he plucked up courage to advise crossing the <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Tigris&groupId=255&placeId=510">Tigris</a>,
giving as his reasons the general difficulty of the march along the river, and the fact that they would, after passing through a considerable extent of country, have to undertake a six days' march through the desert before reaching the king's canal.
As this was held by the enemy, it would be impossible to cross, and a subsequent retreat through the desert would obviously be attended with great risk, especially as they would be badly off for provisions.
If, on the contrary, they crossed the <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Tigris&groupId=255&placeId=510">Tigris</a>, he pointed out that the population of the Apolloniatis would evidently resumed their allegiance and join the king, since it was not by their own choice but from necessity and fear that they now yielded obedience to Molon.
It was also evident, he said, that the army would be plenteously furnished with provisions owing to the fertility of the country.
But the most important consideration was that Molon\'s retreat to <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Media&groupId=742&placeId=1354">Media</a> and his sources of supplies from that province would be cut off,
and that therefore he would be obliged to give battle, or if he refused, his troops would soon go over to the king.
Walbank Commentary