CHALCIDENE, or CHALCIDICE, in Ancient Geography, an inland country of Syria, having Antiochia or Seleucia to the west, Cyrrheistica to the north, to the south Apamene and Celofyris, and to the east Chalybonites; being so called from its principal city Chalcis. This province, one of the most fruitful in Syria, was seized by Ptolemy the son of Menæus during the troubles of Syria, and by him made a separate kingdom. Ptolemy himself is styled by Josephus and Hegeippus only prince of Chalcis, but his son Lysanias is honoured both by Josephus and Dio with the title of king. Upon the death of Antiochus Dionysius king of Syria, Ptolemy attempted to make himself master of Damascus and all Celofyris; but the inhabitants having an utter aversion to him on account of his cruelty and wickedness, chose rather to submit to Areas king of Arabia, by whom Antiochus and his whole army had been cut off. He opposed Pompey on his entering Syria; but was by him defeated, taken prisoner, and sentenced to death; which, however, he escaped by paying a thousand talents, and was left also in possession of his kingdom. After Aristobulus king of Judea had been poisoned by the friends of Pompey, and Alexander his son beheaded at Antioch, he sent Philippion his son to Ascalon, whither the widow of Aristobulus had retired with her other children, to bring them all to Chalcis; proposing, as he was in love with one of the daughters named Alexandra, to maintain them in his own kingdom in a manner suitable to their rank: but Philippion like-
Chalcidic wife being in love with Alexandra, married her on the way; for which presumption Ptolemy put him to death on his return, and then took her to wife. On account of this affinity, he supported to the utmost of his power Antigonus the younger son of Ariobolus, who took the field at the head of a considerable army, but on his entering Judæa was entirely defeated by Herod. Ptolemy soon after died, and was succeeded by his son Lyfanius, who espousing the cause of the Almonæan family with great warmth, promised to Barzapharnes who commanded the Parthian troops in Syria, and to Pacorus the king's son, a thousand talents and five hundred women, provided they should put Antigonus in possession of the kingdom of Judæa, and depose Hircanus. He was not long after put to death by Mark Antony, at the instigation of Cleopatra; who, in order to have his dominions, accused him falsely of having entered into an alliance with the Parthians.