The king, who was perfectly well informed about all these matters, continued, as I above stated, to remonstrate with Achaeus and at the same time devoted his whole attention to preparing for the war against Ptolemy.
Accordingly, collecting his forces at <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Apamea&groupId=340&placeId=660">Apamea</a> in early spring, he summoned a council of his friends to advise as to the invasion of <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Coele-Syria&groupId=484&placeId=908">Coele-Syria</a>.
Many suggestions having been made in this respect about the nature of the country, about the preparations requisite and about the collaboration of the fleet, Apollophanes, a native of <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Seleucia&groupId=233&placeId=484">Seleucia</a>, of whom I have already spoken, cut short all these expressions of opinion.
For, as he said, it was foolish to covet <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Coele-Syria&groupId=484&placeId=908">Coele-Syria</a> and invade that country while permitting the occupation by Ptolemy of <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Seleucia&groupId=233&placeId=484">Seleucia</a> which was the capital seat and, one might almost say, the sacred hearth of their empire.
Apart from the disgrace inflicted on the kingdom by this city being garrisoned by the kings of <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Egypt&groupId=556&placeId=368">Egypt</a>, it was of first-class importance.
"While held by the enemy" he said, "it is the greatest possible hindrance to all our enterprises;
for in whatever direction we decide to advance, the precautions we have to take to protect our own country from the menace of this place give us just as much trouble as our preparations for attacking the enemy.
Once, however, it is in our hands, not only will it securely protect our own country, but owing to its advantageous situation it will be of the greatest possible service for all our projects and undertakings by land and sea alike."
All were convinced by these arguments, and it was decided to capture this city in the first place.
For <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Seleucia&groupId=233&placeId=484">Seleucia</a> had been garrisoned by the kings of <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Egypt&groupId=556&placeId=368">Egypt</a> ever since the time of Ptolemy Euergetes,
when that prince, owing to his indignation at the murder of Berenice, invaded <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Syria&groupId=995&placeId=502">Syria</a> and seized on this town.
Walbank Commentary