CYNOSCEPHALAE), while Antiochus, after overrunning Asia Minor, had penetrated into Thrace. The Mediterranean world could not hold two such powerful rivals, and the inevitable clash was hastened by Antiochus's subsequent invasion of Greece. If by his dilatory and limited strategy he lost his opportunity, he roused the Romans, reviving from the war weariness that fol lowed the struggle with Hannibal, to a sense of danger, and, not content with his repulse, they prepared a counter-invasion—all the more because Hannibal was now at the side of Antiochus. The expedition was placed under the consul Lucius Scipio, whose elec tion was due to the promise of his famous brother, Publius Scipio Africanus, to accompany him as his lieutenant. The latter's com bination of strategy and diplomacy ensured the expedition's secure and unchecked passage from Greece and across the Dar danelles into Asia Minor. But illness prevented him reaping the tactical fruits, and the decisive battle was fought while he was still on his sick bed. Antiochus with an army computed at 62,000 foot and over 12,000 horse had fallen back behind the Hermus river and there at Magnesia—the modern Minissa—fortified a strong camp. Though the Romans counted only two legions and proportionate allied contingents—some 30,00o in all—an attack was decided upon. "The Romans never despised an enemy so
much." However, Antiochus saved them the trouble and came out to offer battle. Even so, they evidently missed the master hand of Scipio Africanus, and were even in jeopardy for a time. For while they were driving in the enemy's centre, and their cavalry were attacking his left flank, Antiochus himself with his right wing cavalry, crossed the river—left almost unguarded—and fell upon the Romans' left flank. The troops there were dispersed and took refuge in the camp, where only the resolution of the tribune left in charge rallied them and staved off the danger until reinforcements arrived. Foiled here and seeing a heavy concentra tion developing against him, Antiochus fled from the battlefield, and the remnants of his demoralized army followed him to Sardis. Antiochus, with his subject states making their peace with Rome, was forced, more through Africanus's strategy than his brother's tactics, to sue for a peace which removed him to the eastern side of the Taurus range and left Asia Minor free for Roman exploitation.