Antiochus returns westward via the Iranian provinces of Arachosia, Drangiana, and Carmania.

Arriving in Persis in 205, Antiochus receives tribute of five hundred talents of silver from the citizens of Gerrha, a mercantile state on the east coast of the Persian Gulf.

Having established a magnificent system of vassal states in the East, Antiochus now adopts the ancient Achaemenid title of “great king,” and the Greeks, comparing him to Alexander the Great, surname him also “the Great.” Antiochus' long campaign has produced meager results, however.

He has recognized the independence of two kingdoms, that of the Parthians and that of Euthydemus, which had been no more than satrapies.

The struggle must have weakened these two, but after receiving legalization of their status, the two states proceed to the reestablishment of their material and military resources.

Antiochus, having acquired war elephants and provisions for his army in Bactria, crosses the Hindu Kush into the Kabul Valley, where he renews Seleucid friendship and concludes a pact with the Indian king Sophagasenos, securing still more elephants, before embarking on his return to Syria.

The Greeks now form the new upper classes in Egypt, replacing the old native aristocracy.

In general, the Ptolemies have undertaken changes that have far exceeded any other measures that earlier foreign rulers had imposed, using the religion and traditions to increase their own power and wealth.

Although the Ptolemies have established a prosperous kingdom, enhanced with fine buildings, the native population enjoys few benefits, and there are frequent uprisings.

These expressions of nationalism reach a peak in the reign of Ptolemy IV Philopator, when the native Egyptians, sensing their power, rise in an anti-Macedonian rebellion, described by Polybius as guerrilla warfare.

The revolt has spread by 205 to Upper Egypt, where others have gained control over one district and rule as a prospective line of native "pharaohs."

As the feeble reign of Ptolemy IV has progressed, he has fallen increasingly under the influence of his favorites, and he dies around November 205 at thirty-nine.

His clique of Alexandrian Greek courtiers, led by Sosibius, keeps Ptolemy's death a secret.

Macedon concludes the war with Rome in 205 BCE by the Peace of Phoenice on favorable terms that allow Phillip to keep his conquests in Illyria.

The Spartan tyrant Nabis, who has deposed Machanidas as regent for the very young Pelops and styled himself king, has carried on the revolutionary tradition of Kings Agis IV and Cleomenes III. (Since ancient accounts of him are mainly abusive, the details of his laws remain obscure, but it is certain that he confiscated a great deal of property and enfranchised many helots.)

Overshadowed by the struggle between Rome and Philip V, Nabis has adroitly maintained his power.

After the Peace of Phoenice between Rome and Macedon, he goes to war in 205 with the Achaean League.

Philopoemen, the league's general in 206/205 BCE, rescues Messene from the Spartans, routing Nabis and his forces.

Rhodes has been significantly weakened by these raids by the end of 205 BCE, and Philip sees his chance to go forward with the second part of his plan, direct military confrontation.

Scipio, thirty-one in 205 BCE, is unanimously elected to the consulship in this year, by which time Hannibal's movements are restricted to the southwestern toe of Italy.

Scipio intends to take the war to Africa, but some of the Senators are envious of him and only let him to go to Sicily without giving him an army.

Even so, Scipio starts a volunteer army when he is in Sicily.

His great name draws to him a number of volunteers from all parts of Italy; among these are the shamed survivors of the fiasco at the Battle of Cannae, eager to once again prove their worth as soldiers.

Scipio turns Sicily into a camp for training his army.

Scipio realizes that the Carthaginian, and especially Numidian superiority in cavalry would prove decisive against the largely infantry forces of the Roman legions.

In addition, a large portion of Rome's cavalry ware allies of questionable loyalty, or noble equites exempting themselves from being lowly foot soldiers.

One anecdote tells of how Scipio pressed into service several hundred Sicilian nobles to create a cavalry force.

The Sicilians were quite opposed to this servitude to a foreign occupier (Sicily being under Roman control only since the First Punic War), and protested vigorously.

Scipio assented to their exemption from service providing they pay for a horse, equipment, and a replacement rider for the Roman Army.

In this way, Scipio created a trained nucleus of cavalry for his African campaign.

The Roman Senate, in sending a commission of inquiry to Sicily, finds Scipio at the head of a well-equipped and trained fleet and army.

Scipio presses the Senate for permission to cross into Africa.

The conservative branch of the Roman Senate, championed by Fabius Maximus, the Cunctator (Delayer), opposes the mission.

Fabius still fears Hannibal's power, and views any mission to Africa as dangerous and wasteful to the war effort.

Scipio is also harmed by some senators' disdain of his Hellenophile tastes in art, luxuries, and philosophies.

The introduction, in 205 BCE, of the Phrygian worship of Cybele and the transference of the image of the goddess herself from Pessinus to Rome to bless the expedition may have affected public opinion against Scipio as well.

All Scipio can obtain is permission to cross over from Sicily to Africa if it appears to be in the interests of Rome, but not financial or military support.

Hasdrubal Gisco, after suffering defeat at Ilipa in 206 BCE, had returned to Africa and Mago had retreated to Gades (modern Cádiz) with the remnants of his army.

His deputy, another Hanno, is defeated by L. Marcius, and Mago is unable to take advantage of the rebellion of Hispanic tribes under Indibilis or the mutiny of the Roman troops in 205 BCE.

He leads a raid on Carthago Novo, believing the city to be lightly held, and suffers severe losses.

Upon returning, he finds the gates of Gades barred, and sails away to the Balearic Islands after crucifying the city magistrates for treason.

The Port of Mahón in the Balearic Islands, allegedly founded by Mago, still bears his name today. (The local egg sauce that is now consumed all over the world is called mayonnaise, named after the city.)

From Mahón, Mago leads a campaign to invade Italy (this time by sea) with fifteen thousand men in early summer of 205 BCE.

The army sails from Minorca to …