establishment of a ROMAN PROTECTORATE OVER GREECE AND EGYPT. The wedge
had been entered and the interference of Rome in Eastern affairs was
assured.




CHAPTER XVII.

THE SYRIAN WAR.


Antiochus III. of Syria, who had proposed to share Egypt with Philip,
had been engaged for some time in a campaign in the East, and did not
hear of his ally's danger until too late to aid him. However, he
claimed for himself portions of Asia Minor and Thrace, which Philip
had previously held, and which Rome now declared free and independent.
He crossed the Hellespont into Thrace in 196, but did not dare to
enter Greece, although earnestly urged to do so by the Aetolians,
until after Flamininus had withdrawn all his troops (192).

Antiochus was no general. Himself irresolute and fond of pleasure, the
power behind his throne was HANNIBAL. This great soldier, after his
defeat at Zama, did not relinquish the aim of his life. He became the
chief magistrate of his native city, and in a short time cleared the
moral atmosphere, which was charged with corruption and depravity.
Under him Carthage might have risen again. But his intrigues with
Antiochus, with whom he wished to make an alliance, gave Rome an
opportunity to interfere. His surrender was demanded. He fled, and,
after wandering from coast to coast, became the trusted adviser of the