Editing Euthydemus I (section)

===War with the Seleucid Empire===
[[File:BactriaMap.jpg|thumb|300px|Map of [[Bactria]] during the [[Hellenistic Age]]]]
Little is known of his reign until 208 BC when he was attacked by [[Antiochus III the Great]], whom he tried in vain to resist on the shores of the river [[Hari River, Afghanistan|Arius]] ([[Battle of the Arius]]), the modern Harirud. Although he commanded 10,000 horsemen, Euthydemus initially lost a battle on the Arius <ref name="polybius"/> and had to retreat. He then successfully resisted a [[Siege of Bactra|three-year siege]] in the fortified city of [[Bactra]], before Antiochus finally decided to recognize the new ruler, and to offer one of his daughters to Euthydemus's son Demetrius around 206 BC.<ref name="polybius" /> As part of the peace treaty, Antiochus was given [[Indian elephant|Indian]] [[war elephants]] by Euthydemus.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Polybius/11*.html#39|title=Histories|last=Polybius|quote=adding to his own the elephants belonging to Euthydemus.}}</ref>

{{quote|For Euthydemus himself was a native of Magnesia, and he now, in defending himself to Teleas, said that Antiochus was not justified in attempting to deprive him of his kingdom, as he himself had never revolted against the king, but after others had revolted he had possessed himself of the throne of Bactria by destroying their descendants. (...) finally Euthydemus sent off his son Demetrius to ratify the agreement. Antiochus, on receiving the young man and judging him from his appearance, conversation, and dignity of bearing to be worthy of royal rank, in the first place promised to give him one of his daughters in marriage and next gave permission to his father to style himself king|[[Polybius]], 11.34, 2 [https://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Polybius/11*.html]}}

Polybius also relates that Euthydemus negotiated peace with Antiochus III by suggesting that he deserved credit for overthrowing the descendants of the original rebel Diodotus, and that he was protecting Central Asia from nomadic invasions thanks to his defensive efforts.

The war lasted altogether three years and after the Seleucid army left, the kingdom seems to have recovered quickly from the assault. The death of Euthydemus has been roughly estimated to 200 BC or perhaps 195 BC. He was succeeded by Demetrius, who went on to invade northwestern regions of [[South Asia]].