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Second Syrian War (260–253)
See also: Battle of Cos
Antiochus II succeeded his father in 261, and thus began a new war for Syria.
He reached an agreement with the current Antigonid king in Macedon, Antigonus
II Gonatas, who was also interested in pushing Ptolemy II out of the Aegean.
With Macedon's support, Antiochus II launched an attack on Ptolemaic outposts
in Asia. Most of the information about the Second Syrian War has been lost. It
is clear that Antigonus' fleet defeated Ptolemy's at the Battle of Cos in 261,
diminishing Ptolemaic naval power. Ptolemy appears to have lost ground in
Cilicia, Pamphylia, and Ionia, while Antiochus regained Miletus and Ephesus.
Macedon's involvement in the war ceased when Antigonus became preoccupied by
the rebellion of Corinth and Chalcis in 253, possibly instigated by Ptolemy, as
well as an increase in enemy activity along Macedon's northern frontier. The
war was concluded around 253 with the marriage of Antiochus to Ptolemy's
daughter, Berenice Syra. Antiochus repudiated his previous wife, Laodice, and
turned over substantial domain to her. He died in Ephesus in 246, poisoned by
Laodice according to some sources. Ptolemy II died in the same year.
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