The Syrian Wars, a series of six wars between the Seleucid Empire and the Ptolemaic Kingdom during the 3rd and 2nd centuries BC over the region of Coele-Syria, one of the few avenues into Egypt, drain the strength of both parties involved and lead to their eventual destruction at the hands of Rome and Parthia.Adecade into his rule, Ptolemy II faced Antiochus I, the Seleucid king who is trying to expand his empire's holdings in Syria and Anatolia.

Ptolemy proves to be a forceful ruler and skilled general.

In addition, his recent marriage to his court-wise sister Arsinoë has stabilized the volatile Egyptian court, allowing Ptolemy to successfully carry out the campaign.

Some feminist interpretations of history even claim that it was Arsinoe's brains and talent which won the war.