“As soon as his father Euergetes had died, Ptolemy IV, who was surnamed Philapator, had his brother Magas and those who supported him executed, and himself took possession of the throne of Egypt. He supposed that by destroying his rivals in this way he had through his own action rid himself of dangers at home, and that Fortune had delivered him from dangers abroad.”
Philopator’s resolution to execute his brother is absolute Machiavellianism which guarantees him that the brother will not impede him from the throne. Their familial connection does not dissuade Philopator from executing him. For Philapator, the throne is more substantial than his brother’s being; he considers the brother to be his adversary whose endurance would be unfavourable to his prospects for the throne.
“He (Scipio) still cherished some hope of winning over Syphax and sent him a succession of messages, for the two armies were not far apart, and Scipio believed that he could detach the prince from his alliance with Carthage.He suspected that Syphax was already tired of the girl on whose account he had chosen to side with the Carthaginians, and that his friendship with them had lost its warmth.”
Polybius illustrates the convergence between marriage and political alliances. Evidently, the girl is a surety of Syphax’s fidelity to Carthaginians. Their matrimonial is for political opportuneness , rather than love. Scipio’s awareness of the nature of the marriage permits him to scheme how to appeal to Syphax’s allegiance.
