Who was Antiochus How did he affect the Jews?
For Jews, Antiochus is the 'little horn' of Daniel 7. Rabbinical sources style him 'the wicked. ' Yet his atrocious acts sparked a successful revolt against the Seleucid Empire that allowed the Jews to achieve virtual independence. The long struggle for independence left an deep mark on Judaism.
Who was Antiochus and what did he do?
Antiochus IV Epiphanes, (Greek: “God Manifest”) also called Antiochus Epimanes (the Mad), (born c. 215 bce—died 164, Tabae, Iran), Seleucid king of the Hellenistic Syrian kingdom who reigned from 175 to 164 bce. As a ruler he was best known for his encouragement of Greek culture and institutions.
Who defeated Antiochus the Great?
His forces easily gained coastal Phoenicia, Tyre, and Ptolemais, but Antiochus faltered at the fortress of Dora in northern Palestine. This gave Egypt a chance to reorganize its army, and on June 22, 217, Antiochus was defeated in Gaza by Ptolemy IV Philopater.
How many Antiochus are there?
ANTIOCHUS °, name of 13 Seleucid monarchs who ruled Syria for the greater part of two and a half centuries. They include: (1) antiochus i soter (b.
Who destroyed the First Temple?
king NebuchadnezzarKing Solomon, according to the Bible, built the First Temple of the Jews on this mountaintop circa 1000 B.C., only to have it torn down 400 years later by troops commanded by the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar, who sent many Jews into exile.
What did Antiochus do to the temple?
Antiochus IV (Epiphanes), the king of Syria, captured Jerusalem in 167 BC and desecrated the Temple by offering the sacrifice of a pig on an altar to Zeus (the Abomination of Desolation).
Was Antiochus III successful?
Antiochus III reclaimed a great part of the empire and forged a series of alliances with powerful kingdoms. For a brief moment, he even challenged Roman rule, but in the end, he was not capable of defeating the Romans.
When did Antiochus III rule?
Antiochus III the Great, byname Antiochus the Great, Greek Antiochus Megas, (born 242 bce—died 187, near Susa, Iran), Seleucid king of the Hellenistic Syrian Empire from 223 bce to 187, who rebuilt the empire in the East but failed in his attempt to challenge Roman ascendancy in Europe and Asia Minor.
Antiochus’ Threat to The Jews
The Decree to Abandon The Jewish Religion
- Antiochus outlawed Jewish religious ceremonies and rites and commanded the worship of Zeus as the supreme god (2 Maccabees 6:1–12). The Jews were forced to build pagan altars in every Judean city and to offer pig’s flesh upon them. This was anathema to the Jews and they refused. Also, he commanded them to hand in every manuscript of their Holy Scri...
The Jews’ Rebellion and Freedom
- Finally, the Jews rebelled against Antiochus and kicked his armies out of Judea. They even triumphed in preventing an army sent by him for the sole purpose of annihilating them as a nation. When the Jews were liberated from his cruel hand, they reestablished the Temple, erected up a new altar, and offered sacrifices (1 Macc. 4:36–54). As for Antiochus, he had a horrible end. Acc…
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Prelude
- Immediately upon assuming power, he decided to pursue the conquest of Egypt, which no other Seleucid king had been able to accomplish. The Romans were advancing eastward and expanding their empire. If Antiochus could conquer and annex Egypt, his kingdoms size and power would be greatly increased and the Romans might be resisted. Meanwhile, after a decisive battle in 169-8 …
Purpose
- But before doing so, he would have to stabilize his own country and consolidate political support by uniting the disparate cultural, social, and religious elements. Under Alexander the Great, hellenization had been a movement that still allowed room for cultural variation; under Antiochus, hellenization was intended to take a big step further and become the agent of cultural totalitaria…
Results
- To a certain extent, Antiochuss plan worked. Jason submitted to the kings will and helped implement the new totalitarian doctrine. Jerusalem became a little version of Antioch, replete with a gymnasium where the Jewish Kohanim often played Greek sports in the nude. Meanwhile, King Antiochus had access to the Temple treasury to help fund his military campaign to conquer Egypt.
Aftermath
- While Antiochus was away, Jason had managed to retake Jerusalem from Menelaus a victory based on the rumor that Antiochus was dead. But he was not able to seize control of the government, and he was forced to flee. Antiochus, furious with the rebellion, returned to Jerusalem, slaughtered thousands of people, and reinstalled Menelaus. Once Antiochu...
Reign
- In the Jewss Holy Temple, he placed a statue of Zeus the god he believed was manifest in his own royal being and sacrificed swine on the altar. He stripped the Temple of its sacred vessels, including the seven-branched golden menorah, and stole the silver and gold coin.
Publication
- Reprinted with permission from Celebrating the Jewish Year: The Winter Holidays, published by Jewish Publication Society.