The consequence was that both sides grew weary of negotiating, and there was no prospect yet of a conclusion being reached, when, on the approach of spring, Antiochus collected his forces with the object of invading <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Coele-Syria&groupId=484&placeId=908">Coele-Syria</a> both by land and sea and reducing the remainder of it.
Ptolemy, entrusting the direction of the war entirely to Nicolaus, sent him abundant supplies to the neighbourhood of <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Gaza&groupId=599&placeId=390">Gaza</a>, and dispatched fresh military and naval forces.
Thus reinforced Nicolaus entered on the war in a spirit of confidence, all his requests being readily attended to by Perigenes, the admiral,
whom Ptolemy had placed in command of the fleet, which consisted of thirty decked ships and more than four hundred transports. Nicolaus was by birth an Aetolian,
and in military experience and martial courage was excelled by none of the officers in Ptolemy's service.
He had occupied with part of his forces the pass of Platanus, and with the rest, which he commanded in person, that near the town of Porphyrion, and here he awaited the king's attack, the fleet being anchored along shore to support him.
Antiochus reaching Marathus, the people of Aradus came to him asking for an alliance, and he not only granted this request, but put an end to their existing civil dissensions, by reconciling those on the island with those on the mainland.
After this, he advanced by the promontory called Theoprosopon and reached Berytus, having occupied <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Botrys&groupId=407&placeId=756">Botrys</a> on his way and burnt Trieres and <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Calamus&groupId=418&placeId=774">Calamus</a>.
From hence he sent on Nicarchus and Theodotus with orders to occupy the difficult passes near the river Lycus, and after resting his army advanced himself and encamped near the river <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Damuras&groupId=525&placeId=993">Damuras</a>, his admiral Diognetus coasting along parallel to him.
Thence once more taking with him the light-armed troops of his army which were under Theodotus and Nicarchus, he set out to reconnoitre the passes which Nicolaus had occupied.
After noting the features of the ground he returned himself to the camp and next day, leaving behind under command of Nicarchus his heavy-armed troops, moved on with the rest of his army to attempt the passage.
Walbank Commentary