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Why did Ptolemy I Soter and Seleucus I Nicator dispute control of Syria?

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Coin depicting Ptolemy I Soter — Ptolemy I Soter Ptolemy I Soter, portrait on a silver tetradrachm; in the British Museum

The dispute between Ptolemy I Soter and Seleucus I Nicator over control of Syria originated from the aftermath of the Battle of Ipsus in 301 BCE.12

Following the defeat of their common rival, Antigonus I Monophthalmus, the victorious successors (the diadochi) divided his territories among themselves. Seleucus was granted control of Syria as part of this settlement. However, during the conflict, Ptolemy had occupied the southern portion of the region, known as Coele Syria, despite not having participated in the battle itself.12

Because Seleucus held a legal claim to the territory based on the post-war division, while Ptolemy maintained physical occupation of the southern lands, the two leaders began to argue over their respective boundaries. This disagreement laid the foundation for the long series of Syrian Wars fought between the Seleucid Empire and Ptolemaic Egypt for the next century.1234