SCOPAS, an Etolian, General of the Armies of Ptolomy Epiphanes, King of Egypt1; he was sent by the King his Master into Judea, and into Cele-syria2, to recover the Cities and Provinces that Antiochus the Great had conquered from him. Scopas had first all the Advantage on his Side, probably because his Expedition was in the Winter; but the Summer following he was beaten by Antiochus near Paneas, about the Sources of Jordan. St. Jerom, Excerpt. Valesi. p. 77, 86. Liv. l. 35.upon chap. xi. of Daniel, says, that Scopas retiring into the City of Sidon, was there besieged by Antiochus; that Ptolemy Epiphanes attempted to deliver him from thence, and sent three very experienced Captains, Æropus, Menocles, and Damoxenus; but they not being able to raise the Siege, Scopas was forced to surrender, happy enough in having his Life saved, with the Remainder of his Troops. He return’d into Egypt, but did not long remain quiet; for two Years afterwards3 he took it in his Head to be made King of Egypt, with the Assistance of the Etolians whom he commanded; but his Irresolution ruin’d him. Aristomenes and Polycrates accused him of High Treason; and he was become so stupefy’d, that not knowing what Defence to make, he was unanimously condemn’d to die, by all that were present. The following Night Aristomenes put him to Death in Prison, by making him swallow some Poison he had provided for him.
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