or Chalcidice, in Ancient Geography, an inland country of Syria, having Antiochia or Seleucia to the west, Cyrrhestica to the north, to the south Apamene and Cœlosyria, 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 Mennæus, during the troubles of Syria, and by him made a separate kingdom. Ptolemy himself is styled by Josephus and Hegesippus 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 Cœlosyria; but the inhabitants having an utter aversion to him on account of his cruelty and wickedness, chose rather to submit to Aretas 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 likewise be...