Daniel 11:18-19 (jan 1, 190 BC – dec 1, 187 BC)

Description:

Dan 11:18  After this shall he turn his face unto the isles, and shall take many: but a prince for his own behalf shall cause the reproach offered by him to cease; without his own reproach he shall cause it to turn upon him. 
Dan 11:19  Then he shall turn his face toward the fort of his own land: but he shall stumble and fall, and not be found. 

Antiochus III’s Shift to the Coastlands:
After his failure with the Ptolemaic marriage alliance, Antiochus III refocused his efforts on expanding his influence in the west—specifically, along the Mediterranean coast.

He launched military campaigns against the Greek city-states and the Aegean coast, especially targeting territories in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey) and regions around the Aegean Sea.

Antiochus did capture many coastal cities and attempted to extend his control over regions like Phoenicia, Cilicia, and even parts of Asia Minor.

The Roman Intervention (The Commander):
During this period, Rome—a rising power in the Mediterranean—became involved. The Romans had a growing influence in the region, and Antiochus III’s expansion was beginning to infringe on their sphere of influence.

The commander mentioned in the prophecy is widely understood to refer to the Roman general Lucius Cornelius Scipio Asiaticus.

Scipio defeated Antiochus III at the Battle of Magnesia in 190 BCE (this is the “put an end to his insolence” part of the prophecy).

After a decisive defeat, Antiochus was forced to accept the terms of the Treaty of Apamea in 188 BCE, which severely limited his territorial control and military capabilities.

Antiochus’s Fall (Verses 19):
“He shall turn his face back toward the fortresses of his own land” refers to Antiochus retreating back to his own kingdom after his disastrous defeat by the Romans.

The “stumble and fall” refers to his ultimate death in 187 BCE.

Antiochus’s final years were marked by frustration and loss of power, and in 187 BCE, while attempting to plunder a temple in Elam (modern Iran), he was killed by the local inhabitants.

His death is a fitting end to the prophecy: “he shall not be found”, as his reign effectively ended.

Aftermath:
The Treaty of Apamea (188 BCE) left Antiochus III severely weakened:

The Seleucid Empire lost key territories in Asia Minor.

Antiochus was forced to pay a large tribute to Rome, weakening the Seleucid economy.

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