A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

4. An Aetolian, and a general of Ptolemy IV. (Philopator). In B. C. 219 we find him besieging Ptolemais, which was held by the traitor Theodotus, who had revolted from Ptolemy to Antiochus the Great. Nicolaus, however, abandoned the siege on the approach of the Syrian king [LAGORAS]. In the same year he did much towards baffling the attempt of Antiochus on Dura or Dora in Phoenicia, by sending constant succours to the besieged. In B. C. 218 he was invested by Ptolemy with the supreme command in Coele-Syria, an appointment fully warranted, according to Polybius, by his military experience and bravery. He was, however, dislodged by Antiochus and his generals from a strong position which he had taken up between the range of Mount Libanus and the sea near the town of Porphyreon, and was obliged to seek safetyin a precipitate flight towards Sidon. It may be conjectured that after this he deserted to Antiochus: at least, we find the name of Nicolaus of Aetolia mentioned among the generals of the Syrian king in his campaign in Hyrcania, B. C. 209. (Plb. 5.61, 66, 68, 69, 10.29.)

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