Battle of Gaza (312 BC)
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| Battle of Gaza | |||||||
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| Part of the Third war of the Diadochi | |||||||
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| Combatants | |||||||
| Ptolemy I of Egypt | Demetrius I of Macedon | ||||||
| Commanders | |||||||
| Ptolemy I of Egypt, Seleucus I Nicator |
Demetrius I of Macedon | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 18,000 infantry, 4,000 cavalry |
12,500 infantry, 4,400 cavalry, 43 war elephants |
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| Casualties | |||||||
| Unknown | 500 killed, 8,000 captured, 43 war elephants |
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| Wars of the Diadochi |
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| Paraitacene – Gabiene – Gaza – Salamis – Rhodes – Ipsus – Corupedium |
The Battle of Gaza was a battle of the Third war of the Diadochi between Ptolemy (satrap of Egypt) and Demetrius (son of Antigonus I Monophthalmus).
Ptolemy decided an invasion of Syria. With 18,000 infantry and 4,000 cavalry he arrived to Gaza in early 312 BC.
Demetrius decided to offer him battle, but was routed; losing 500 men killed, a further 8,000 taken prisoner, and losing all his elephants. He retreated to Tripolis in Phoenicia.
Demetrius:
- left wing: 2,900 cavalry, 1,500 light infantry and 30 war elephants under Demetrius command
- center: 11,000 infantry phalanx and 13 elephants
- right wing: 1,500 cavalry
Ptolemy:
- left wing: 3,000 cavalry
- center: 18,000 phalanx
- right wing: 1,000 cavalry
