Editing Ptolemy V Epiphanes (section)

===End of the Egyptian Revolt (196–185 BC)===
In the mid 190s BC, Ankhmakis made some sort of agreement with King [[Adikhalamani]] of [[Meroe]]. In return for the southern Egyptian city of [[Syene]], Adikhalamani provided some sort of aid which enabled Ankhmakis to recapture Thebes by autumn 195 BC. Violent battles between the forces of Ptolemy V and Ankhmakis took place around [[Asyut]]. In late 191 or early 190 BC, papyrus records indicate that Thebes was once again under Ptolemy V's control. The Ptolemaic general [[Comanus]] led this reconquest. In 187 BC, Adikhalamani pulled out of Syene and abandoned his support for Ankhmakis. The priests who had supported Ankhmakis accompanied his troops back to Meroe. On 27 August 186 BC, Ankhmakis and his son led a last-ditch attack on Thebes, but were defeated by Comanus. This victory re-established Ptolemaic rule in Upper Egypt, as well as the [[Triakontaschoinos]]. In temples in the region, inscriptions with the names of the Meroitic kings who had ruled the region since 206 BC were scratched out.<ref name=H1557/>

Ankhmakis was taken to Alexandria and executed on 6 September 186 BC. Soon after, an official synod of priests gathered in the city and passed a [[Ptolemaic decrees|decree]], known today as the [[Philensis II decree]], in which Ankhmakis was denounced for rebellion and various other crimes against humanity and the gods. A month later, on 9 October 186 BC, Ptolemy V issued the 'Amnesty Decree', which required all fugitives and refugees to return to their homes and pardoned them for any crimes committed before September 186 BC (except temple robbery). This was intended to restore land to cultivation that had been abandoned during the prolonged period of warfare. To prevent further revolts in the south, a new military governorship of Upper Egypt, the ''epistrategos'', was created, with Comanus serving in the role from 187 BC. Greek soldiers were settled in villages and cities in the south, to act as a garrison force in the event of further unrest.<ref name=H1557/>   
 
The rebels in Lower Egypt still continued to fight on. In 185 BC, the general Polycrates of Argos succeeded in suppressing the rebellion. He promised the leaders of the rebellion that they would be treated generously if they surrendered. Trusting this, they voluntarily went to [[Sais]] in October 185 BC, where they were stripped naked, forced to drag carts through the city, and then tortured to death.<ref>[[Polybius]] 22.17.3-7</ref> Whether Polycrates or Ptolemy V was responsible for this duplicitous cruelty is disputed.<ref name=H1557/>