THEOSISJerome of Stridon
He was unable to seize Egypt, as Ptolemy Epiphanes and his advisers, aware of the machinations, acted with great caution, while Cleopatra favored her husband over her father. Consequently, he turned his attention to Asia, initiating a naval conflict against several islands, successfully claiming Rhodes, Samos, Colophon, Phocaea, and other territories. However, he faced opposition from L. Scipio Nazica and his brother Publius Scipio Africanus, who had triumphed over Hannibal. Since Nazica lacked the necessary capabilities and the senate was reluctant to let him command the war against such a formidable king, Africanus volunteered to serve as a legate under Nazica.
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Antiochus was ultimately defeated, forced to govern only within the boundaries of the Taurus Mountains, yet he later fled to Apamea and Susa, reaching the farthest corners of his realm. His campaign against the Elymaeans led to his demise along with his entire army. The Scripture states that he held dominion over many islands but, after being vanquished by the Romans, lost his Asian kingdom, and his disgrace turned back upon him; eventually fleeing from Asia, he returned to his homeland but stumbled and fell, with no place found for him.
And he shall turn his attention to reclaim all his kingdom, acting with wisdom, and shall provide his daughters in marriage, that he might bring about his undoing. This refers to Ptolemy, or to his realm. Desiring not only to dominate Syria, Cilicia, Libya, and other regions loyal to Ptolemy but also to extend his dominion into Egypt, Antiochus arranged for his daughter Cleopatra to be married to Ptolemy in the seventh year of his reign and formally gave her in marriage in the thirteenth year, providing Kelesiria and Judea as her dowry. The mention of the daughters is a rhetorical flourish, akin to well-known poetic phrases: “so uttered with her lips” and “and listened to the words with these ears.”