Antiochus, who in the meanwhile had opened the siege of a town called <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Dura&groupId=547&placeId=1026">Dura</a>, but made no progress with it owing to the strength of the tribes and the support given it by Nicolaus,
now as winter was approaching agreed with Ptolemy's envoys to an armistice of four months, engaging to consent to a settlement of the whole dispute on the most lenient terms.
This was however very far from being the truth, but he was anxious not to be kept long away from his own dominions, but to winter with his army in <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Seleucia&groupId=233&placeId=484">Seleucia</a>, as Achaeus was evidently plotting against him and undisguisedly acting in concert with Ptolemy.
This agreement having been made he dismissed the envoys, instructing them to meet him as soon as possible at <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Seleucia&groupId=233&placeId=484">Seleucia</a> and communicate Ptolemy\'s decision to him.
Leaving adequate garrisons in the district, and placing Theodotus in general charge of it, he took his departure, and on reaching <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Seleucia&groupId=233&placeId=484">Seleucia</a> dismissed his forces to their winter quarters and henceforward neglected to exercise his troops, feeling sure he would have no need to fight a battle, since he was already master of some portions of <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Coele-Syria&groupId=484&placeId=908">Coele-Syria</a> and <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Phoenicia&groupId=894&placeId=464">Phoenicia</a> and expected to obtain possession of the rest by diplomacy
and with the consent of Ptolemy, who would never dare to risk a general battle.
This was the opinion held also by his envoys, as Sosibius, who was established at <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Memphis&groupId=752&placeId=1371">Memphis</a>, always received them in a friendly manner,
and never allowed the envoys he himself kept sending to Antiochus to be eyewitnesses of the preparations in <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Alexandria&groupId=1063&placeId=1868">Alexandria</a>.
Walbank Commentary