Antiochus

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ANTIOCHUS (1Ma_12:16; 1Ma_14:22; cf. Jos. [Note: Josephus.] Ant. XIII. v. 8).—The father of Numenius, who was one of the envoys sent (c [Note: circa, about.] . b.c. 144) by Jonathan the Maccabee to renew the covenant made by Judas with the Romans, and to enter into friendly relations with the Spartans.
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible
Edited by James Hastings, D.D. Published in 1909

1. Theus," King of the N." (Dan_11:6.) Ptolemy Philadelphus, king of Egypt, to end the war with him, give Berenice his daughter to Antiochus, who divorced Laodice to marry Berenice. But Ptolemy having died, Betentre aid "not retain the power of the arm," i.e., she was unable to be the mainstay of peace; for on Ptolemy's death Antiochus took back Laodice, who then poisoned him and caused Berenice and her son to be slain. "But out of a branch other roots stood up" in the place of Philadelphus (margin) Ptolemy Euergetes, Berenice's brother, who avenged her, overran Syria, and slew Laodice, "carrying captives into Egypt their gods, princes, and vessels of silver and gold." He restored to Egypt many of the idols carried away formerly by the Persian Cambyses, whence the idolatrous Egyptians surnamed him Euergetes (benefactor). He "continued four more years than the king of the N.," Antiochus.
2. Antiochus the Great, the grandson of Antiochus Theus, and son of Seleucus Callinicus, "came and overflowed and passed through," recovering all the parts of Syria taken by Euergetes, and reached "even to his (border) fortress," Raphia, near Gaza. Here "the king of the S.," Ptolemy Philopator, Euergetes' son, "shall fight with" Antiochus, and Antiochus's "multitude (70,000 infantry and 500 cavalry) shall be given into his hand." 10,000 were slain and 4,000 made captive. Ptolemy's "heart was lifted up" by the victory, so that though he "cast down many ten thousands, he was not strengthened by it" through his luxurious indulgence. For Antiochus "returned after certain years" (14 after his defeat at Raphia) against Philopator's son, Ptolemy Epiphanes.
"In those times many stood against the king of the S.," Epiphanes, namely, Philip of Macedon and "robbers of the people," factious Jews, who, revolting from Ptolemy, helped Antiochus unconsciously, "establishing the vision," i.e. fulfilling God's purpose of bringing trials on Judaea, "but falling," i.e. failing in their aim to make Judaea independent. So Antiochus, overcoming the Egyptian general Scopas at Paneas, near the Jordan's sources, forced him to surrender at Zidon, a "fenced city." Thus Antiochus "did according to his own will, standing in the glorious land (Judaea) which by his hand was consumed," Hebrew perfected, i.e. perfectly brought under his sway, or else desolated by being the arena of conflict between Syria and Egypt. The "upright ones with him" were Israelites, so called from their high privileges, though their practice of violence in support of a pagan king is reprobated.
Next he thought, by wedding his "daughter" Cleopatra to Ptolemy Epiphanes, ultimately to gain Cilicia, Lycia, and even Egypt itself; "corrupting her," i.e. making her his tool; but "she did not stand on his side, but on that of her husband." Then he "took many of the isles'" in the AEgean in his war with the Romans. But Scipio Asiaticus routed him at Magnesia 190 B.C., and so "caused the reproach Offered by him (to Rome's allies) to cease."
Then, compelled to cede his territory W. of Taurus, "he turned his face toward the fort of his own land," i.e. garrisoned the cities left to him. Finally, trying to plunder Jupiter's temple at Elymais, he "fell" in an insurrection of the inhabitants. Selenens succeeded," raiser of taxes in the glory of the kingdom," or, as Maurer explains, "one who shall cause the taxgatherer to pass through the glorious kingdom," Judaea; i.e. inheriting it by hereditary right. "Within a few days (12 years, "few" in comparison with Antiochus's 37 years) he was destroyed, neither in anger nor in battle," but poisoned by Heliodorus.
3. Antiochus IV. succeeded, surnamed Epiphanes, "the Illustrious," for establishing the royal line against Heliodorus. Nicknamed Epimanes, "madman," for his great unkingly freaks, carousing with the lowest, bathing with them in public, and throwing stones at passers by. Hence, and because of his craftily supplanting Demetrius, the rightful heir, he is called in Daniel 11: "a vile person." He "came into the kingdom by flatteries" to Eumenes and to Attalus of Pergamus, and to the Syrians high and low. With his "flood" like hosts the Egyptians and Ptolemy Philometer, "the prince of the covenant," were "overflown from before him." Philometor was in covenant with him by right, being son of Cleopatra, Antiochus's sister, to whom Antiochus the Great had promised, as dowry in marrying Ptolemy Epiphanes, Coelosyria and Palestine.
Philometor's generals in trying to obtain these covenanted promises were defeated, and Pehsium, the key of Egypt, was taken 171 B.C. Antiochus Epiphanes "worked deceitfully," feigning friendship to young Philometor, and" with a small people" or force, "peaceably" in pretense, he took Memphis and "the fattest places," and seized Philometer. Thus he" did that which his fathers had not done," namely, gained Egypt, and "scattered among (his dependents) the prey." "He forecast his devices against the strongholds" of Egypt. He gained all except Alexandria. Retiring Judaea, where the Jews in joy at the report of his death had revolted, he took Jerusalem. He then "stirred up his power with a great army against the king of the S.," Ptolemy Physcon (the gross), made king by the Egyptians because Philometer was in Antiochus's hands. The Egyptian king did "not stand," for his own nobles "forecast devices against him."
At last Antiochus, when checked at Alexandria, met the Egyptian king at Memphis, and "both spoke lies at one table," trying to deceive one another. In his capture of Jerusalem, guided by Menelaus the high priest "against the holy covenant," he took away the golden altar, candlestick, vessels of gold and silver from the temple, sacrificed swine on the altar, and sprinkled swine broth through the temple; his spoils from it amounted 1800 talents. A second time he openly invaded Egypt, but his invasion was not successful "as the former," Popilius. Laenas, the Roman ambassador, arriving in Graeco Macedonian ships ("of Chittim") and compelling him to return. Finding that God's worship had been restored at Jerusalem, "he had indignation against the holy covenant." He "had intelligence (correspondence) with them that forsook the holy covenant," Menelaus and others, who had cast off circumcision and treated all religions as equally good for keeping the masses in check, and adopted Greek customs and philosophy.
Antiochus's general, Apollonius, dismantled Jerusalem, and from a high fortress slew the temple worshippers. Antiochus commanded all on pain of death to conform to the Greek religion, and consecrated the temple to Jupiter Olympius or Capitolinus. Identifying himself with that god "whom his fathers knew not," and whose worship he imported from Rome, he wished to make his own worship universal. The Jews were constrained to profane the sabbath and monthly on the king's birthday to eat of the idol sacrifices, and to go in procession to Bacchus, carrying ivy. This was the gravest peril that ever betel the theocratic nation; hence arose the need of a prediction so detailed as Daniel 8; 11. Porphyry the opponent of Christianity, had to admit the accurate correspondence of the facts to the prediction, but explained it away by alleging the latter to have been written after the events.
But as Messianic events are foretold in Daniel, Jesus' adversaries, the Jews, would never have forged the prophecies which confirm His claims. Daniel 9 would comfort the faithful Jews amidst the "abominations" against "the covenant," with the prospect of Messiah, who would confirm it. Bringing salvation, yet abolishing sacrifices, He would show that the temple services which they so missed were not indispensable to real worship. Language is used (Dan_11:31-45) which only in type applies to Antiochus, but exhaustively to Antichrist. Antiochus "took away the daily sacrifice, and placed (on the 15th day of Cisleu, on Jehovah's altar) the abomination (idol, Jupiter Olympius' image) that maketh desolate," i.e. that pollutes the temple.
The Maccabees (see 1 and 2 Maccabees in Apocrypha), "who knew their God, were strong" in their determination not to deny Him, and "did exploits." Judas, son of the patriot Mattathias, took as his motto the initials of Mi Camokah Baelim Jehovah (Exo_15:11), "Who is like unto Thee, O Lord, among the gods?" Allusion occurs to the martyrs under Antiochus in Heb_11:35-37; "others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection." Seven brothers and their mother submitted to a torturing death rather than deny their faith, the third saying, "Thou takest us out of this present life, but the King of the world shall raise us up who have died for His laws unto everlasting life" (compare Dan_12:2). Two women who circumcised their infant boys were cast down with them headlong from the wall. Eleazar when forced to eat swine's flesh spit it out, choosing to suffer death at fourscore and ten rather than deny the faith (compare the apocryphal 2 Maccabees 6 and 2 Maccabees 7).
Some were roasted alive "by flame" in caves, whither they had fled to keep the sabbath. The first of the seven brothers, after his tongue was cut off, was fried to death in a heated pan. The persecution lasted three years; then, by the Maccabees, who defeated Antiochus's troops under Lysias, the Jews were "holpen with a little help," i.e. saved from extinction until the times of the Romans. Antiochus, while invading Egypt, hearing "tidings out of the E. and out of the N. of a revolt of his vassal Artaxias, king of Armenia, in the N., and Arsaces of Parthid in the E., went forth with great fury, on the way took Arad in Judah, devastated Phoenicia (according to Porphyry), "planting the tabernacles of his palace between the seas" (the Dead Sea and the Mediterranean), attacked the temple of Nanae at Elymais, ("the desire of women," the Syrian Venus; but the antitypical reference is to Messiah, whom Antichrist shall try to supplant,) to replenish his treasury, so as to renew the war with the Jews.
But, failing, "he came to his end" at Tabes, and "none helped him" (1Ma_3:10-37; 1Ma_6:1-16; 2Ma_9:5). "The Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, smote him with an incurable plague; for as soon as he had spoken these words (that he would make Jerusalem a common burying place of the Jews) a remediless pain of the bowels came upon him," etc., 164 B.C. The prominence given to Antiochus in Daniel is because it was the turning point in Jewish history, deciding whether Greek worldly refinements were to stifle Israel's true faith. Persecution was God's appointed way to save His people from seductions which had wellnigh made them compromise their witness for His truth.
Antiochus was the unconscious instrument. At first he followed the liberal policy of his predecessors; but when it suited his purpose to plunder the Jews and destroy their polity, he did not hesitate, and the corruptions prevalent and the rivalries of Jason and Menelaus for the high priesthood afforded him the occasion. Disregarding his hereditary gods himself (Dan_11:37-39), and only recognizing the Roman war god or "god of forces," he regarded "fortresses" as the true temples (the Hebrew for "forces" may be translated "fortresses"), and was incapable of appreciating the power which true religion can call forth. Thus he is the vivid type of the last Antichrist, whose terrible, though short, persecutions shall drive Israel to their Savior, and so usher in their coming glory (Zechariah 11; 12; 13; 14; Daniel 12; Ezekiel 37; 38; 39).
Fausset's Bible Dictionary
By Andrew Robert Fausset, co-Author of Jamieson, Fausset and Brown's 1888.

Anti'ochus. (an opponent). The name of a number of kings of Syria who lived during the interval between the Old and New Testaments, and had frequent connection with the Jews during that period. They are referred to in the Apocrypha especially in the books of the Maccabees.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
By Dr. William Smith.Published in 1863

There were many kings of this name in Syria, much celebrated in the Greek, Roman, and Jewish histories, after the time of Seleucus Nicanor, the father of Antiochus Soter, and reckoned the first king of Syria after Alexander the Great.
1. ANTIOCHUS SOTER was the son of Seleucus Nicanor, and obtained the surname of Soter, or Saviour, from having hindered the invasion of Asia by the Gauls. Some think that it was on the following occasion: The Galatians having marched to attack the Jews in Babylon, whose army consisted only of eight thousand men, reinforced with four thousand Macedonians, the Jews defended themselves with so much bravery, that they killed one hundred and twenty thousand men, 2Ma_8:20. It was perhaps, too, on this occasion, that Antiochus Soter made the Jews of Asia free of the cities belonging to the Gentiles, and permitted them to live according to their own laws.
2. ANTIOCHUS THEOS, or, the God, was the son and successor of Antiochus Soter. He married Berenice, daughter of Ptolemy Philadelphus, king of Egypt. Laodice, his first wife, seeing herself despised, poisoned Antiochus, Berenice, and their son, who was intended to succeed in the kingdom. After this, Laodice procured Seleucus Callinicus, her son by Antiochus, to be acknowledged king of Syria. These events were foretold by Daniel: “And in the end of years,” the king of Egypt, or of the south, and the king of Syria, or of the north, “shall join themselves together; for the king's daughter of the south shall come to the king of the north to make an agreement: but she shall not retain the power of the arm; neither shall he stand, nor his arm: but she shall be given up, and they that brought her, and he that begat her, and he that strengthened her in these times,”
Dan_11:6.
3. ANTIOCHUS THE GREAT was the son of Seleucus Callinicus, and brother to Seleucus Ceraunus, whom he succeeded in the year of the world 3781. and before Jesus Christ 223. He made war against Ptolemy Philopator, king of Egypt, but was defeated near Raphia, 3 Maccabees 1. Thirteen years after, Ptolemy Philopator being dead, Antiochus resolved to become master of Egypt. He immediately seized Coelo-Syria, Phenicia, and Judea; but Scopas, general of the Egyptian army, entered Judea while Antiochus was occupied by the war against Attalus, and retook those places. However, he soon lost them again to Antiochus. On this occasion happened what Josephus relates of this prince's journey to Jerusalem. After a victory which he had obtained over Scopas, near the springs of Jordan, he became master of the strong places in Coelo-Syria and Samaria; and the Jews submitted freely to him, received him into their city and furnished his army plentifully with provisions. In reward for their affection, Antiochus granted them, according to Josephus, twenty thousand pieces of silver, to purchase beasts for sacrifice, one thousand four hundred and sixty measures of meal, and three hundred and seventy-five measures of salt to be offered with the sacrifices, and timber to rebuild the porches of the Lord's house. He exempted the senators, scribes, and singing men of the temple, from the capitation tax; and he permitted the Jews to live according to their own laws in every part of his dominions. He also remitted the third part of their tribute, to indemnify them for their losses in the war; he forbade the Heathens to enter the temple without being purified, and to bring into the city the flesh of mules, asses, and horses to sell, under a severe penalty.
In the year of the world 3815, Antiochus was overcome by the Romans, and obliged to cede all his possessions beyond Mount Taurus, to give twenty hostages, among whom was his own son Antiochus, afterward surnamed Epiphanes, and to pay a tribute of twelve thousand Euboic talents, each fourteen Roman pounds in weight. To defray these charges, he resolved to seize the treasures of the temple of Belus, at Elymais; but the people of that country, informed of his design, surprised and destroyed him, with all his army, in the year of the world 3817, and before Jesus Christ 187. He left two sons, Seleucus Philopator, and Antiochus Epiphanes, who succeeded him.
4. ANTIOCHUS EPIPHANES, the son of Antiochus the Great, having continued a hostage at Rome fourteen years, his brother Seleucus resolved to procure his return to Syria, and sent his own son Demetrius to Rome in the place of Antiochus. Whilst Antiochus was on his journey to Syria, Seleucus died, in the year of the world 3829. When, therefore, Antiochus landed, the people received him as some propitious deity come to assume the government, and to oppose the enterprises of Ptolemy, king of Egypt, who threatened to invade Syria. For this reason Antiochus obtained the surname of Epiphanes, the illustrious, or of one appearing like a god.
Antiochus quickly turned his attention to the possession of Egypt, which was then enjoyed by Ptolemy Philometor, his nephew, son to his sister Cleopatra, whom Antiochus the Great had married to Ptolemy Epiphanes, king of Egypt. He sent Apollonius, one of his officers, into Egypt, apparently to honour Ptolemy's coronation, but in reality to obtain intelligence whether the great men of the kingdom were inclined to place the government of Egypt in his hands during the minority of the king his nephew, 2Ma_4:21, &c. Apollonius, however, found them not disposed to favour his master; and this obliged Antiochus to make war against Philometor. He came to Jerusalem in 3831, and was received there by Jason, to whom he had sold the high priesthood. He designed to attack Egypt, but returned without effecting any thing. The ambition of those Jews who sought the high priesthood, and bought it of Antiochus, was the beginning of those calamities which overwhelmed their nation under this prince. Jason procured himself to be constituted in this dignity in the stead of Onias III; but Menelaus offering a greater price, Jason was deprived, and Menelaus appointed in his place. These usurpers of the high priesthood, to gratify the Syrians, assumed the manners of the Greeks, their games and exercises, and neglected the worship of the Lord, and the temple service.
War broke out between Antiochus Epiphanes and Ptolemy Philometor. Antiochus entered Egypt in the year of the world 3833, and reduced almost the whole of it to his obedience, 2Ma_5:3-5. The next year he returned; and whilst he was engaged in the siege of Alexandria, a false report was spread of his death. The inhabitants of Jerusalem testifying their joy at this news, Antiochus, when returning from Egypt, entered this city by force, treated the Jews as rebels, and commanded his troops to slay all they met. Eighty thousand were killed, made captives, or sold on this occasion. Antiochus, conducted by the corrupt high priest Menelaus, entered into the holy of holies, whence he took and carried off the most precious vessels of that holy place, to the value of one thousand eight hundred talents. In the year 3835, Antiochus made a third expedition against Egypt, which he entirely subdued. The year following, he sent Apollonius into Judea, with an army of twenty-two thousand men, and commanded him to kill all the Jews who were of full age, and to sell the women and young men, 2Ma_5:24-25. These orders were too punctually executed. It was on this occasion that Judas Maccabaeus retired into the wilderness with his father and his brethren, 2 Mac. 5:29. These misfortunes were only preludes of what they were to suffer; for Antiochus, apprehending that the Jews would never be constant in their obedience to him, unless he obliged them to change their religion, and to embrace that of the Greeks, issued an edict, enjoining them to conform to the laws of other nations, and forbidding their usual sacrifices in the temple, their festivals and their Sabbath. The statue of Jupiter Olympus was placed upon the altar of the temple, and thus the abomination of desolation was seen in the temple of God. Many corrupt Jews complied with these orders; but others resisted them.
Mattathias and his sons retired to the mountains. Old Eleazar, and the seven brethren, suffered death with great courage at Antioch, 2 Maccabees 7. Mattathias being dead, Judas Maccabaeus headed those Jews who continued faithful, and opposed with success the generals whom king Antiochus sent into Judea. The king, informed of the valour and resistance of Judas, sent new forces; and, finding his treasures exhausted, he resolved to go into Persia to levy tributes, and to collect large sums which he had agreed to pay to the Romans, 1Ma_3:5-31; 2Ma_9:1, &c; 1Ma_6:1, &c. Knowing that very great riches were lodged in the temple of Elymais, he determined to carry it off; but the inhabitants of the country made so vigorous a resistance, that he was forced to retreat toward Babylonia. When he was come to Ecbatana, he was informed of the defeat of Nicanor and Timotheus, and that Judas Maccabaeus had retaken the temple of Jerusalem, and restored the worship of the Lord, and the usual sacrifices. On receiving this intelligence, the king was transported with indignation; and, threatening to make Jerusalem a grave for the Jews, commanded the driver of his chariot to urge the horses forward, and to hasten his journey. However, divine vengeance soon overtook him: he fell from his chariot, and bruised all his limbs. He was also tormented with such pains in his bowels, as allowed him no rest; and his disease was aggravated by grief and vexation. In this condition he wrote to the Jews very humbly, promised them many things, and engaged even to turn Jew, if God would restore him to health. He earnestly recommended to them his son Antiochus, who was to succeed him, and entreated them to favour the young prince, and to continue faithful to him. He died, overwhelmed with pain and grief, in the mountains of Paratacene, in the little town of Tabes, in the year of the world 3840, and before Jesus Christ 164.
5. ANTIOCHUS EUPATOR, son of Antiochus Epiphanes, was only nine years old when his father died and left him the kingdom of Syria. Lysias, who governed the kingdom in the name of the young prince, led against Judea an army of one hundred thousand foot, twenty thousand horse, and thirty elephants, 1 Maccabees 6; 2 Maccabees 13. He besieged and took the fortress of Bethsura, and thence marched against Jerusalem. The city was ready to fall into his hands when Lysias received the news that Philip, whom Antiochus Epiphanes had entrusted with the regency of the kingdom, had come to Antioch to take the government, according to the disposition of the late king. He therefore proposed an accommodation with the Jews, that he might return speedily to Antioch and oppose Philip. After concluding a peace, he immediately returned into Syria, with the young king and his army.
In the meantime, Demetrius Soter, son of Seleucus Philopator, and nephew to Antiochus Epiphanes, to whom by right the kingdom belonged, having escaped from Rome, came into Syria. Finding the people disposed for revolt, Demetrius headed an army, and marched directly to Antioch, against Antiochus and Lysias. However, the inhabitants did not wait till he besieged the city; but opened the gates, and delivered to him Lysias and the young king Antiochus Eupator, whom Demetrius caused to be put to death, without suffering them to appear in his presence. Antiochus Eupator reigned only two years, and died in the year of the world 3842, and before Jesus Christ 162.
6. ANTIOCHUS THEOS, or the Divine, the son of Alexander Balas, king of Syria, was brought up by the Arabian prince Elmachuel, or, as he is called in the Greek, Simalcue, 1Ma_11:39-40, &c. Demetrius Nicanor, king of Syria, having rendered himself odious to his troops, one Diodotus, otherwise called Tryphon, came to Zabdiel, a king in Arabia, and desired him to entrust him with young Antiochus, whom he promised to place on the throne of Syria, which was then possessed by Demetrius Nicanor. After some hesitation, Zabdiel complied with the request; and Tryphon carried Antiochus into Syria, and put the crown on his head. The troops dismissed by Demetrius, came and joined Tryphon, who, having formed a powerful army, defeated Demetrius, and forced him to retreat to Seleucia. Tryphon seized his elephants, and rendered himself master of Antioch, in the year of the world 3859, and before Jesus Christ 145. Antiochus Theos, to strengthen himself in his new acquisition, sent letters to Jonathan Maccabaeus, high priest and prince of the Jews, confirming him in the high priesthood, and granting him four toparchies, or four considerable places, in Judea. He also received Jonathan into the number of his friends, sent him vessels of gold, permitted him to use a gold cup, to wear purple, and a golden buckle; and he gave his brother, Simon Maccabaeus, the command of all his troops on the coast of the Mediterranean, from Tyre to Egypt. Jonathan, engaged by so many favours, declared resolutely for Antiochus, or rather for Tryphon, who reigned under the name of this young prince; and on several occasions he attacked the generals of Demetrius, who still, possessed many places beyond Jordan and in Galilee, 1Ma_11:63, &c; 1Ma_12:24; 1Ma_12:34. Tryphon, seeing young Antiochus in peaceable possession of the kingdom of Syria, resolved to usurp his crown. He thought it necessary, in the first place, to secure Jonathan Maccabaeus, who was one of the most powerful supporters of Antiochus's throne. He came, therefore, with troops into Judea, invited Jonathan to Ptolemais, and there, on frivolous pretences, made him prisoner. However, Simon, Jonathan's brother, headed the troops of Judea, and opposed Tryphon, who. intended, to take Jerusalem. Tryphon, being disappointed, put Jonathan to death at Bassa or Bascama, and returned into Syria, where, without delay, he executed his design of killing Antiochus. He corrupted the royal physicians, who, having published that Antiochus was tormented with the stone, murdered him, by cutting him without any necessity. Thus Tryphon was left master of Syria, in the year of the world 3861, and before Jesus Christ 143.
7. ANTIOCHUS SIDETES, or Soter the Saviour, or Eusebes the pious, was the son of Demetrius Soter, and brother to Demetrius Nicanor. Tryphon, the usurper of the kingdom of Syria, having rendered himself odious to his troops, they deserted him, and offered their services to Cleopatra, the wife of Demetrius Nicanor. She lived in the city of Seleucia, shut up with her children, while her husband Demetrius was a prisoner in Persia, where he had married Rodeguna, the daughter of Arsaces, king of Persia. Cleopatra, therefore, sent to Antiochus Sidetes, her brother-in-law, and offered him the crown of Syria, if he would marry her; to which Antiochus consented. This prince was then at Cnidus, where his father, Demetrius Soter had placed him with one of his friends. He came into Syria, and wrote to Simon Maccabaeus, to engage him against Tryphon, 1Ma_15:1-3, &c. He confirmed the privileges which the king of Syria had granted to Simon, permitted him to coin money with his own stamp, declared Jerusalem and the temple exempt from royal jurisdiction, and promised other favours as soon as he should obtain peaceable possession of the kingdom which had belonged to his ancestors. Antiochus Sidetes having married his sister-in- law, Cleopatra, in the year of the world 3865, the troops of Tryphon resorted to him in crowds. Tryphon, thus abandoned, retired to Dora, in Phoenicia, whither Antiochus pursued him with an army of 120,000 foot, 800 horse, and a powerful fleet. Simon Maccabaeus sent Antiochus two thousand chosen men, but the latter refused them, and revoked all his promises. He also sent Athenobius to Jerusalem to oblige Simon to restore to him Gazara and Joppa, with the citadel of Jerusalem; and to demand of him five hundred talents more, as reparation for injuries the king had suffered, and as tribute for his own cities. At the same time he threatened to make war upon him, if he did not comply. Simon showed Athenobius all the lustre of his wealth and power, told him he had in his possession no place which belonged to Antiochus, and said that the cities of Gazara and Joppa had greatly injured his people, and he would give the king for the property of them one hundred talents. Athenobius returned with great indignation to Antiochus, who was extremely offended at Simon's answer. In the meantime, Tryphon having escaped privately from Dora, embarked in a vessel and fled. Antiochus pursued him, and sent Cendebeus with troops into the maritime parts of Palestine, and commanded him to rebuild Cedron, and fight the Jews. John Hircanus, son of Simon Maccabaeus, was then at Gaza, and gave notice to his father of the coming of Cendebeus. Simon furnished his sons, John Hircanus and Judas, with troops, and sent them against Cendebeus, whom they routed in the plain and pursued to Azotus.
Antiochus followed Tryphon, till he forced him to kill himself, in the year of the world 3869. After this, Antiochus thought only of reducing to his obedience those cities which, in the beginning of his father's reign, had shaken off their subjection. Simon Maccabaeus, prince and high priest of the Jews, being treacherously murdered by Ptolemy, his son-in-law, in the castle of Docus, near Jericho, the murderer immediately sent to Antiochus Sidetes to demand troops, that he might recover for him the country and cities of the Jews. Antiochus came in person with an army, and besieged Jerusalem, which was bravely defended by John Hircanus. The siege was long protracted; and the king divided his army into seven parts, and guarded all the avenues of the city. It being the time for celebrating the feast of tabernacles, the Jews desired of Antiochus a truce for seven days. The king not only granted this request, but sent them bulls with gilded horns, and vessels of gold and silver filled with incense, to be offered in the temple. He also ordered such provisions as they wanted, to be given to the Jewish soldiers. This courtesy of the king so won the hearts of the Jews, that they sent ambassadors to treat of peace, and to desire that they might live according to their own laws. Antiochus required that they should surrender their arms, demolish the city walls, pay tribute for Joppa and the other cities they possessed out of Judea, and receive a garrison into Jerusalem. To these conditions, except the last, the Jews consented; for they could not be induced to see an army of strangers in their capital, and chose rather to give hostages and five hundred talents of silver. The king entered the city, beat down the breast work above the walls, and returned to Syria, in the year of the world 3870, and before Jesus Christ 134. Three years after, Antiochus marched against the Persians, or Parthians, and demanded the liberty of his brother Demetrius Nicanor, who had been made prisoner long before by Arsaces, and was detained for the purpose of being employed in exciting a war against Antiochus. This war, therefore, Antiochus thought proper to prevent. With an army of eighty thousand, or, as Orosius says, of one hundred thousand men, he marched toward Persia, and no sooner appeared on the frontiers of that country, than several eastern princes, detesting the pride and avarice of the Persians, came and surrendered. Antiochus defeated his enemies in three engagements, and took Babylon. He was accompanied in these expeditions by John Hircanus, high priest of the Jews, who, it is supposed, obtained the surname of Hircanus from some gallant action which he performed.
As the army of Antiochus was too numerous to continue assembled in any one place, he was obliged to divide it, to put it into winter quarters. These troops behaved with so much insolence, that they alienated the minds of all men. The cities in which they were, privately surrendered to the Persians; and all resolved to attack, in one day, the garrisons they contained, that the troops being separated might not assist each other. Antiochus at Babylon obtained intelligence of this design, and, with the few soldiers about him, endeavoured to succour his people. He was attacked in the way by Phraates, king of Persia, whom he fought with great bravery; but being at length deserted by his own forces, according to the generality of historians, he was overpowered and killed by the Persians or Parthians. Appian, however, says that he killed himself, and AElian, that he threw himself headlong from a precipice. This event took place in the year of the world 3874, and before Jesus Christ 130. After the death of Sidetes, Demetrius Nicanor, or Nicetor, reascended the throne of Syria.
Biblical and Theological Dictionary by Richard Watson
PRINTER 1849.

an-tı̄?o-kus (Ἀντίοχος, Antı́ochos; A, Ἀντίμαχος, Antı́machos (1 Macc 12:16)): The father of Numenius, who in company with Antipater, son of Jason, was sent by Jonathan on an embassy to the Romans and Spartans to renew ?the friendship? and ?former confederacy? made by Judas (1 Macc 12:16; 14:22; Ant, XIII, vi; 8).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
PRINTER 1915.

Anti?ochus, a name which may be interpreted he who withstands, or lasts out; and denotes military prowess, as do many other of the Greek names. It was borne by one of the generals of Philippians whose son, Seleucus, by the help of the first Ptolemy, established himself (B.C. 312) as ruler of Babylon. For eleven years more the contest in Asia continued, while Antigonus was grasping at universal supremacy. At length, in 301, he was defeated and slain in the decisive battle of Ipsus, in Phrygia. Ptolemy, son of Lagos, had meanwhile become master of southern Syria; and Seleucus was too much indebted to him to be disposed to eject him by force from this possession. In fact, the three first Ptolemies (B.C. 323-222) looked on their extra-Egyptian possessions as their sole guarantee for the safety of Egypt itself against their formidable neighbor, and succeeded in keeping the mastery, not only of Palestine and C?le-Syria, and of many towns on that coast, but of Cyrene and other parts of Libya, of Cyprus, and other islands, with numerous maritime posts all round Asia Minor. A permanent fleet was probably kept up at Samos, so that their arms reached to the Hellespont; and for some time they ruled over Thrace. Thus Syria was divided between two great powers, the northern half falling to Seleucus and his successors, the southern to the Ptolemies; and this explains the titles 'king of the north and 'king of the south,' in Daniel 11. The line dividing them was drawn somewhat to the north of Damascus, the capital of Coele-Syria.
The first Seleucus built a prodigious number of cities with Greek institutions, not, like Alexander, from military or commercial policy, but to gratify ostentation, or his love for Greece. To people his new cities was often a difficult matter; and this led to the bestowal of premiums on those who were willing to become citizens. Hence we may account for the extraordinary privileges which the Jews enjoyed in them all, having equal rights with Macedonians. But there was still another cause which recommended the Jews to the Syrian kings. A nation thus diffused through their ill-compacted empire, formed a band most useful to gird its parts together. To win the hearts of the Jews, was to win the allegiance of a brave brotherhood, who would be devoted to their protector, and who could never make common cause with any spirit of local independence. For this reason Antiochus the Great, and doubtless his predecessors also, put peculiar trust in Jewish garrisons.

Fig. 42?Antiochus the Great
Again: through the great revolution of Asia, the Hebrews of Palestine were now placed nearly on the frontier of two mighty monarchies; and it would seem that the rival powers bid against one another for their goodwill?so great were the benefits showered upon them by the second Ptolemy. Even when a war broke out for the possession of Coele-Syria, under Antiochus the Great, and the fourth Ptolemy (B.C. 218, 217), though the people of Judea, as part of the battlefield and contested possession, were exposed to severe suffering, it was not the worse for their ultimate prospects. Antiochus at least, when at a later period (B.C. 198) left master of southern Syria, did but take occasion to heap on the Jews and Jerusalem new honors and exemptions.
The Syrian empire, as left by Antiochus the Great to his son, was greatly weaker than that which the first Seleucus founded. Scarcely, indeed, had the second of the line begun to reign (B.C. 280) when four sovereigns in Asia Minor established their complete independence?the kings of Pontus, Bithynia, Cappadocia, and Pergamos. In the next reign?that of Antiochus Theos?the revolt of the Parthians under Arsaces (B.C. 250) was followed speedily by that of the distant province of Bactriana. For thirty years together the Parthians continued to grow at the expense of the Syrian monarchy. The great Antiochus passed a life of war (B.C. 223-187). In his youth he had to contend against his revolted satrap of Media, and afterwards against his kinsman Achaeus, in Asia Minor. Besides this, he was seven years engaged in successful campaigns against the Parthians and the king of Bactriana; and, finally, met unexpected and staggering reverses in war with the Romans, so that his last days were inglorious and his resources thoroughly broken. Respecting the reign of his son, Seleucus Philopator (B.C. 187-176), we know little, except that he left his kingdom tributary to the Romans. In Dan_11:20, he is named a raiser of taxes, which shows what was the chief direction of policy in his reign. Seleucus having been assassinated by one of his courtiers, his brother Antiochus Epiphanes hastened to occupy the vacant throne, although the natural heir, Demetrius, son of Seleucus, was alive, but a hostage at Rome. In Dan_11:21 it is indicated that he gained the kingdom by flatteries; and there can be no doubt that a most lavish bribery was his chief instrument. According to the description in Livy (xli. 20), the magnificence of his largesses had almost the appearance of insanity.
A prince of such a temper and in such a position, whose nominal empire was still extensive, though its real strength and wealth were departing, may naturally have conceived, the first moment that he felt pecuniary need, the design of plundering the Jewish temple. At such a crisis, the advantage of the deed might seem to overbalance the odium incurred: yet, as he would convert every Jew in his empire into a deadly enemy, a second step would become necessary?to crush the power of the Jews, and destroy their national organization. The design, therefore, of prohibiting circumcision and their whole ceremonial, would naturally ally itself to the plan of spoliation, without supposing any previous enmity against the nation on his part. We have written enough to show how surprising to the Jews must have been the sudden and almost incredible change of policy on the part of the rulers of Syria; and how peculiarly aggravated the enmity Antiochus Epiphanes must in any case have drawn on himself. Instead of crushing his apparently puny foes, he raised up heroes against himself [MACCABEES], who, helped by the civil wars of his successors, at length achieved the deliverance of their people; so that in the 170th year of the Seleucidae (B.C. 143) their independence was formally acknowledged, and they began to date from this period as a new birth of their nation.

Fig. 43?Antiochus Epiphanes
The change of policy, from conciliation to cruel persecution, which makes the reign of Epiphanes an era in the relation of the Jews to the Syrian monarchy, has perhaps had great permanent moral results. It is not impossible that perseverance in the conciliating plan might have sapped the energy of Jewish national faith: while it is certain that persecution kindled their zeal and cemented their unity. Jerusalem, by its sufferings, became only the more sacred in the eyes of its absent citizens; who vied in replacing the wealth which the sacrilegious Epiphanes had ravished. According to 1Ma_6:1-16, this king died shortly after an attempt to plunder a temple at Elymais; and Josephus follows that account.
An outline of the deeds of the kings of Syria in war and peace, down to Antiochus Epiphanes, is presented in Daniel 11; in which Epiphanes and his father are the two principal figures. The wars and treaties of the kings of Syria and Egypt from B.C. 280 to B.C. 165 are described so minutely and so truly, in Dan_11:6-36, as to force all reasonable and well-informed men to choose between the alternatives?either that it is a most signal and luminous prediction, or that it was written after the event.
Besides Antiochus Epiphanes, the book of Maccabees mentions his son, called Antiochus Eupator, and another young Antiochus, son of Alexander Balas, the usurper; both of whom were murdered at a tender age. In the two last chapters of the book a fourth Antiochus appears, called by the Greeks Sidetes, from the town of Sida, in Pamphylia. This is the last king of that house, whose reputation and power were not unworthy of the great name of Seleucus. In the year B.C. 134he besieged Jerusalem, and having taken it next year, after a severe siege, he pulled down the walls, and reduced the nation once more to subjection, after only ten years' independence.
The Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature
by John Kitto.

Antiochus
(Α᾿ντίοχος, opponent), the name especially of several of the Syrian kings, whose history, so far.as relates to Jewish affairs, is contained particularly in the Books of the Maccabees, and is predicted with remarkable minuteness in the 11th chapter of Daniel. The name was first borne by one of the generals of Philip, whose son Seleucus, by the help of the first Ptolemy, established himself (B.C. 312) as ruler of Babylon. The year 312 is, in consequence, the era from which, under that monarchy, time was computed, as, for instance, in the Books of Maccabees. ‘For eleven years more the contest.in Asia continued, while Antigonus (the “one-eyed”) was grasping at universal supremacy. At length, in 301, he was defeated and slain in the decisive battle of Ipsus, in Phrygia. Ptolemy, son of Lagus, had meanwhile become master of Southern Syria, and Seleucus was too much indebted to him to be disposed to eject him by force from this possession. In fact, the first three Ptolemies (B.C. 323-222) looked on their extra- Egyptian possessions as their sole guarantee for the safety of Egypt itself against their formidable neighbor, and succeeded in keeping the mastery, not only of Palestine and Coele-Syria, and of many towns on that coast, but of Cyrene and other parts of Libya, of Cyprus, and other islands, with numerous maritime posts all round Asia Minor. A permanent fleet was probably kept up at Samos (Polyb. 5, 35, 11), so that their arms reached to the Hellespont (5, 34, 7); and for some time they ruled over Thrace (18, 34, 5). Thus Syria was divided between, two great powers, the northern half falling to Seleucus and his successors, the southern to the Ptolemies; and this explains the titles “king of the north” and “king of the south,” in the 11th chapter of Daniel. The line dividing them was drawn somewhat to the north of Damascus, the capital of Coele-Syria.
The most compact and unbroken account of the kings of this, the Seleucid or Syrian, dynasty is to be found in Appian's book (De Rebus Syriacis), at the end. A sufficiently detailed statement of the reign of each may be found in Smith's Dict. of Class. Biog. s.v. On the dates, see Clinton's Fasti Hellenici, vol. 3, Appendix, ch. 3 The reigns are as follows:
1. Seleucus I, Nicator, B.C. 312-280.
2. Antiochus I, Soter, his son, 280-261.
3. Antiochus II, Theos, his son, 261-246.
4. Seleucus II, Callinicus, his son, 246-226.
5. (Alexander, or) Seleucus III, Ceraunus, his son, 226-223.
6. Antiochus III, the Great, his brother, 223-187.
7. Sleucus IV, Philopator, his son, 187-176.
8. Antiochus IV, Epiphanes, his brother, 176-164.
9. Antiochus V, Eupator, his son (a minor), 164-162.
10. Demetrius I, Soter, son of Seleucus Philopator, 162-150.
11. Alexander Balas, a usurper, who pretended to be son of Antiochus Epiphanes, and was acknowledged by the Romans, 152-146.
12. Antiochus VI, Dionysus (a minor), son of the preceding. He was murdered by the usurper Trypho, who contested the kingdom till 137.
13. Demetrius II, Nicator, son of Demetrius Soter, reigned 146 - 141, when he was captured by the Parthians.
14. Antiochus VII, Sidetes, his brother, 141-128.
15. Demetrius II, Nicator, a second time, after his release from Parthia, 128-125.
16. Seleucus V, his son, assassinated immediately by his mother, 125.
17. Antiochus VIII, Grypus, his brother, shared his kingdom with the following, 125-96.
18. Antiochus IX, Cyzicenus, his half-brother, 111- 95.
19. Seleucus VI, Epiphanes, eldest son of Antiochus Grypus, kills Antiochus Cyzicenus, 96 - 95.
20. Antiochus X, Eusebes, son of Antiochus Cyzicenus, asserts his claims to his father's share of the dominions, kills Seleucus Epiphanes, and prevails over the successors of the latter, but gives way to Tigranes, 95 -83.
21. Philip, second son of Antiochus Grypus, succeeds to the claims of his brother Seleucus against Antiochus Eusebes, until the accession of Tigranes, cir. 94 - 83.
22. Antiochus XI, Epiphanes II, his brother, associated with him in the contest in which he lost his life, cir. 94.
23. Demetrius III, Eucerus, his brother, likewise associated with Philip till their rupture, when he was taken prisoner by the Parthians, 94 - 88.
24. Antiochus XII, Dionysius II, his brother, whose cause he took up against Philip, till slain by the Arabians, cir. 88 - 86.
25. Tigranes, king of Armenia, invited to the throne by the Syrians over all the rival claimants, and held it till his overthrow by the Roman general Lucullus, 83 - 69.
26. Antiochus XIII, Asiaticus, son of Antiochus Eusebes, allowed by Lucullus to hold the throne of the Seleucidae till its entire abolition by Pompey, 69 - 65.
The following (Nos. 3; 6, 8, 9, 12, 14, 17, 18, 20, 22, 24, of the above) are the only ones of the name of Antiochus that are important in sacred literature. (See Frohlich, Annales Syric; Vaillant, Seleucidar. Imp.)
1. ANTIOCHUS (II) THEOS (Θεός, god, so surnamed “in the first instance by the Milesians, because he overthrew their tyrant Timarchus,” Appian, Syr. 65), the son and successor of Antiochus (I) Soter as king of Syria, B.C. 261. He carried on for several years the war inherited from his father with the Egyptian king, Ptolemy (II) Philadelphus, who subdued most of the districts of Asia Minor, but at length (B.C. 250), in order to secure peace, he married Ptolemy's daughter (Berenice) in place of his wife Laodice, and appointed the succession in the line of his issue by her (Polyb. ep. Athen. 2, 45); yet, on the death of Ptolemy two yeers afterward, Antiochus recalled his former wife Laodice, and Berenice and her son were soon after put to death at Daphne. Antiochus himself died, B.C. 246, in the 40th year of his age (Porphyry, in Euseb. Chronicles Ann. 1, 345), of poison administered by his wife, who could not forget her former divorce (Justin, 27:1; Appian, Syr. 65; Val. Max. 9, 14,1).
The above alliance of Antiochus with Ptolemy, by the marriage of Berenice to the former, is prophetically referred to in Dan_11:6, as “the joining of themselves together” by “the king of the south and the king of the north,” through “the king's daughter;” and its failure is there distinctly characterized, through the triumph of Laodice over “him that strengthened her,” i.e. her husband Antiochus (see Jerome, Comment. in loc.). After the death of Antiochus, Ptolemy Evergetes, the brother of Berenice (“out of a branch of her root”), who succeeded his father Ptol. Philadelphus, exacted vengeance for his sister's death by an invasion of Syria, in which Laodice was killed, her son Seleucus Callinicus driven for a time from the throne, and the whole country plundered (Dan_11:7-9; hence his surname “the benefactor”). The hostilities thus renewed continued for many years; and on the death of Seleucus, B.C. 226, after his “return into his own land” (Dan_11:9), his sons Alexander (Seleucus) Ceraunos and Antiochus “assembled a great multitude of forces” against Ptol. Philopator, the son of Evergetes, and “one of them” (Antiochus) threatened to overthrow the power of Egypt (Dan_11:10).
2. ANTIOCHUS (III) THE GREAT, Seleucid king of Syria, son of Seleucus Callinicus, brother and successor of Seleucus (II) Ceraunus, B.C. 223 (Polyb. 4:40; comp. Euseb. Chronicles Arm. 1, 347; 2, 235; see Goschen, in the Theol. Stud. u. Krit. 1831, 4:713). In a war with the weak king of Egypt, Ptolemy Philopator, in order to regain Coele-Syria and Phoenicia, he twice (comp. Polyb. 5,49) penetrated as far as Dura (two miles north of Caeesarea), but on the second occasion he concluded a four-months' truce with his adversary, and led his army back to the Orontes (Polyb. 5,60; Justin, 30:1, 2; Athen. 13:577; comp. Dan_11:10). On the breaking out of hostilities again, he drove the Egyptian land-force as far as Zidon, desolated Gilead and Samaria, and took up his winterquarters at Ptolemais (Polyb. 5,63-71). In the beginning of the following year (B.C. 217). however, he was defeated by the Egyptians (Polyb. 5,79, 80. 8286; Strabo, 16:759; comp. Dan_11:11) at Raphia (near Gaza), with an immense loss, and compelled to retreat to Antioch, leaving Coele-Syria, Phoenicia, and Palestine to the Egyptians. Thirteen [14] years afterward, Antiochus (in connection with Philip III of Macedon, Liv. 31:34) opened another campaign against Egypt, then ruled over by a child. Ptolemy (V) Epiphanes. He had already conquered the three above-named countries, when a war between him and Attalus, king of Pergamus, diverted him to Asia Minor, and in his absence Ptolemy, aided by Scopas, obtained possession of Jerusalem; but, as soon as he had secured peace there, he returned through Coele-Syria, defeated the Egyptian army at Paneas, and obtained the mastery of all Palestine, B.C. 198 (Polyb. 15:20; Appian, Syr. 1; Liv. 30, 19; Joseph. Ant. 12, 3, 3; comp. Dan_11:13-16). Ptolemy now formed an alliance with Antiochus, and married his daughter Cleopatra (Polyb. 28:17, 11), who received as a dowry (comp. Dan_11:13-16) Coele-Syria, Phoenicia, and Palestine (Joseph. Ant. 12, 4, 1). Antiochus undertook in the following year a naval as well as land expedition against Asia Minor, in which he subdued the greater part of it, and even crossed the Hellespont into Europe. By this means he became (B.C. 192) involved in a war with the Romans (Liv. 35, 13; Justin, 31, 1), in which, after many reverses, he was finally compelled, by an unfortunate battle at Magnesia, in Lycia (B.C. 190), to conclude a disgraceful treaty, B.C. 189 (Appian, Syr. 33-39; Polyb. 21, 14; Liv. 37, 40, 43, 45, 55; Justin, 21:8; comp, Dan_11:18; 1Ma_8:6 sq.). SEE EUMENES.
He lost his life soon afterward (B.C. 187, in the 36th year of his reign, according to Euseb. Chronicles 2, 35, 235, but after 34 full years, according to Porphyr. Excerpt. 1, 347) in a popular insurrection excited by his attempt to plunder the temple at Elymais, in order to obtain means for paying the tribute imposed upon him by the Romans (Strabo, 16:744; Justin, 32:2; Diod. Sic. Exc. 2, 573; Porphyr. in Euseb. Chronicles Arm. 1, 348; comp. Dan_11:19). During the war of Antiochus with Egypt, the Jews and inhabitants of Coele-Syria suffered severely, and the suspense in which they were for a long time kept as to their ultimate civil relations operated injuriously for their interests (Joseph. Ant. 12, 3, 3); but, as the Jews quickly adopted the Syrian party after the battle at Paneas, he granted them not only full liberty and important concessions for their worship and religious institutions (Josephus, Ant. 12, 3, 3, 4), but he also planted Jewish colonies' in Lydia and Phrygia, in order to secure the doubtful fidelity of his subjects there. Two sons of Antiochus occupied the throne after him, Seleucus Pllilopator, his immediate successor, and Antiochus IV, who gained the kingdom upon the assassination of his brother. (See, generally, Fluthe, Gesch. Macedon. 2, 226 sq.)
3. ANTIOCHUS (IV) EPIPHANES (Ε᾿πιφανής, illustrious; comp. Michaelis on 1Ma_1:10, and Eckhel, Doctr. num. I, 3, 223; nicknamed Epimanes, Ε᾿πιμανής, madman, Athen. 10:438 sq.; on coins Theos, Θεός, god, see Frohlich, Annal. tab. 6, 7), a Seleucid king of Syria, second son of Antiochus the Great (Appian, Syr. 45; 1Ma_1:11), ascended the throne on the death of his brother, Seleucus Philopator (on his enumeration, the 11th of the Seleucidae, Dan_7:8; Dan_7:24; see Lengerke, Daniel, p. 318 sq.), B.C. 175 (see Wernsdorf, De fide libr. Macc. p. 28 sq.), and attained an evil notoriety for his tyrannical treatment of the Jews (comp. Dan_7:8 sq.), who have described him (in the second Book of the Maccabees) as barbarous in the extreme (see Eichhorn, Apokr. p. 265). He had been given as a hostage to the Romans (B.C. 188) after his father's defeat at Magnesia. In B.C. 175 he was released by the intervention of his brother Seleucus, who substituted his own son Demetrius in his place. Antiochus was at Athens when Seleucus was assassinated by Heliodorus. He took advantage of his position, and, by the assistance of Eumenes and Attalus, easily expelled Heliodorus, who had usurped the crown, and himself “obtained the kingdom by flatteries” (Dan_11:21; comp. Liv. 41:20), to the exclusion of his nephew Demetrius (Dan_7:8).
The accession of Antiochus was immediately followed by desperate efforts of the Hellenizinma party at Jerusalem to assert their supremacy. Jason (Jesus; Joseph. Ant. 12, 5, 1; SEE JASON), the brother of Onias III, the high, priest, persuaded the king to transfer the high-priesthood to him, and at the same time bought permission (2Ma_4:9) to carry out his design of habituating the Jews to Greek customs (2Ma_4:7; 2Ma_4:20). Three years afterward, Menelaus, of the tribe of Benjamin, SEE SIMON, who was commissioned by Jason to carry to Antiochus the price of his office, supplanted Jason by offering the king a larger bribe, and was himself appointed high-priest, while Jason was obliged to take refuge among the Ammonites (2Ma_4:23-26). From these circumstances, and from the marked honor with which Antiochus was received at Jerusalem very early in his reign (B.C. cir. 173; 2Ma_4:22), it appears that he found no difficulty in regaining the border provinces which had been given as the dower of his sister Cleopatra to Ptol. Epiphanes. He undertook four campaigns against Egypt, in order to possess himself of Coele-Syria and Phoenicia, which he had claimed since Cleopatra's death (see the ANTIOCHUS preceding); the first B.C. 171, the second B.C. 170 (2Ma_5:1; 1Ma_1:17 sq.), the third B.C. 169, the fourth B.C. 168. On his return from the second of these campaigns, in the prosecution of which he had overrun the greater part of Egypt, and taken prisoner the Egyptian king, Ptolemy Philometor (comp. Dan_11:26), he indulged in the harshest manner of proceedings in Jerusalem, on occasion of the above shameful quarrel among the priests, SEE MENELAUS, which had been carried on by open force of arms (comp. Joseph. Ant. 12, 5, 1), and vented his rage especially on the temple, which he plundered and desecrated with great bloodshed (1Ma_1:20-42; 2Ma_5:1-23). Being checked by the Romans in his fourth campaign against Egypt, and compelled in a very peremptory manner to retire (Liv. 45:12; Polyb. 29:11; Appian, Syr. 66; Diod. Sic. Exc. Vatic. 31:2; comp. Dan_11:29 sq.), he detached (B.C. 167) a body of troops to Jerusalem, who took the city by assault, slaughtered a large part of the inhabitants, and gave up the city to a general sack (1Ma_1:30 sq.; 2Ma_5:24 sq.; comp. Dan_11:31 sq.). The Jewish worship in the Temple was utterly broken up and abolished (1Ma_1:43 sq.). At this time he availed himself of the assistance of the ancestral enemies of the Jews (1Ma_4:61; 1Ma_5:3 sq.; Dan_11:41).
The decrees then followed which have rendered his name infamous. The Greek religion was forcibly imposed upon the Jews, and there was set up, for the purpose of desecrating (Diod. Sic. Eclog. 34, 1) and defiling the Temple, on the 15th of Kisleu, the “abomination of desolation” [q.v.] (Dan_11:31; Dan_12:11; 1Ma_1:57), i.e. probably a little idolatrous shrine (Joseph. Ant. 12, 5, 4) on the altar of burnt-offerings; the first victim was sacrificed to Jupiter Olympius, on the 25th of the same month. Many timidly submitted to the royal mandate (1Ma_1:43), being already inclined to Gentilism (1Ma_1:12), and sacrificed to the pagan gods (1Ma_1:45); but a band of bold patriots united (comp. Dan_11:34) under the Asmonnean Mattathias (q.v.), and, after his death, which occurred shortly afterward, under his heroic son, Judas Maccabeus (q.v.), and, after acting for a long time on the defensive, at length took the open field (1Ma_4:1-61), and gained their freedom (comp. Dan_9:25 sq.). Meanwhile Antiochus turned his arms to the East, toward Parthia (Tac. Hist. 5,8) and Armenia (Appian, Syr. 45; Diod. ap. Miller, Fragm. 2, 10; comp. Dan_11:40). Hearing not long afterward of the riches of a temple of Nanaea (“the desire of women,”
Dan_11:37) in Elymais (1Ma_6:1 sq.; see Wernsdorf, Defide Maccab. p. 58 sq.), hung with the gifts of Alexander, he resolved to plunder it. The attempt was defeated; and, though he did not fall like his father in the act of sacrilege, the event hastened his death. He retired to Babylon, and thence to Tabae in Persia (not in the vicinity of Ecbatana, as in 2Ma_9:3, the traditionary burialplace of this king, see Wernsdorf, ut sup. p. 104 sq.), where he died in the year B.C. 164 (see Hofmann, Weissag. 1, 310), in the twelfth year of his reign (Appian, Syr. 66; Polyb. 21:11; see Wernsdorf, p. 26 sq., 61 sq.; comp. Dan_11:8; Dan_8:25), the victim of superstition, terror, and remorse (Polyb. 31:2; Josephus, Ant. 12, 8, 1 sq.), having first heard of the successes of the Maccabees in restoring the temple. worship at Jerusalem (1Ma_6:1-16; comp. 2Ma_1:7-17?). “He came to his end, and there was none to help him” (Dan_11:45). Comp. Liv. 41:24-25; 42:6; 44:19; 45:11-13; Josephus, Ant. 12, 5, 8. See Jacob ben-Naphtali, אִסְטְיוֹכִס מַגַלִּת(Mantua, 1557). SEE MACCABEE.
The prominence given to the reign of Antiochus Epiphanes in the Book of Daniel accords with its representative character (Dan_7:8; Dan_7:25; Dan_8:11 sq.). The conquest of Alexander had introduced the fbrces of Greek thought and life into the Jewish nation, which was already prepared for their operation. SEE ALEXANDER THE GREAT. For more than a century and a half these forces had acted powerfully both upon the faith and upon the habits of the people; and the time was come when an outward struggle alone could decide whether Judaism was to be merged into a rationalized paganism, or to rise not only victorious from the conflict, but more vigorous and more pure. There were many symptoms which betokened the approaching struggle. The position which Judaea occupied on the borders of the conflicting empires of Syria and Egypt, exposed equally to the open miseries of war and the treacherous favors of rival sovereigns, rendered its national condition precarious from the first, though these very circumstances were favorable to the growth of freedom. The terrible crimes by which the wars of “the North and South” were stained, must have alienated the mind of every faithful Jew from his Grecian lords, even if persecution had not been superadded from Egypt first and then from Syria. Politically nothing was left for the people in the reign of Antiochus but independence or the abandonment of every prophetic hope. Nor was their social position less perilous. The influence of Greek literature, of foreign travel, of extended commerce, had made itself felt in daily life. At Jerusalem the mass of the inhabitants seem to have desired to imitate the exercises of the Greeks, and a Jewish embassy attended the games of Hercules at Tyre (2Ma_4:9-20). Even their religious feelings were yielding; and before the rising of the Maccabees no opposition was offered to the execution of the king's decrees. Upon the first attempt of Jason the “priests had no courage to serve at the altar” (2Ma_4:14; comp. 1Ma_1:43); and this not so much from wilful apostasy as from a disregard to the vital principles involved in the conflict. Thus it was necessary that the final issues of a false Hellenism should be openly seen that it might be discarded forever by those who cherished the ancient faith of Israel. The conduct of Antiochus was in every way suited to accomplish this end; and yet it seems to have been the result of passionate impulse rather than of any deep-laid scheme to extirpate a strange creed. At first he imitated the liberal policy of his predecessors, and the occasion for his attacks was furnished by the Jews themselves. Even the motives by which he was finally actuated were personal, or, at most, only political. Able, energetic (Polyb. 27:17), and liberal to profusion, Antiochus was reckless and unscrupulous in the execution of his plans. He had learned at Rome to court power and to dread it.
He gained an empire, and he remembered that he had been a hostage. Regardless himself of the gods of his fathers (Dan_11:37), he was incapable of appreciating the power of religion in others; and, like Nero in later times, he became a type of the enemy of God, not as the Roman emperor, by the perpetration of unnatural crimes, but by the disregard of every higher feeling. “He magnified himself above all.” The real deity whom he recognised was the Roman war-god, and fortresses were his most sacred temples (Dan_11:38 sq.; Ewald, Gesch. des Volkes Isr. 4, 340). Confronted with such a persecutor, the Jew realized the spiritual power of his faith. The evils of heathendom were seen concentrated in a personal shape. The outward forms of worship became invested with something of a sacramental dignity. Common life was purified and ennobled by heroic devotion. An independent nation asserted the integrity of its hopes in the face of Egypt, Syria, and Rome. Antiochus himself left behind him among the Jews the memory of a detestable tyrant (נַבְזֵה, contemptible, Dan_11:21; ίζα ἁμαρτωλός, 1Ma_1:10), although Diodorus Siculus (Eclog. 34) gives him the character of a magnanimous prince (βασιλεὺς μεγαλόψυχος καὶ τὸ ῏ηθος ἣμερος). It cannot, indeed, be denied that the portraitures of the Jewish writers are likely to have been exaggerated, but they could not well have fabricated the facts in the case, while the nature of the reaction (in the times of the Maccabees) shows an intolerable civil pressure preceding; accordingly Antiochus is depicted even in Diodorus (ii. 582 sq.) and other historians as a violently eccentric (almost atrocious) monarch, whose character is composed of contradictory elements (comp. Athen. 10:433). His attempt to extirpate the Jewish religion could certainly hardly have arisen from despotic bigotry, but he probably sought by this means to render the Jews somewhat more tractable, and to conform them to other nations-a purpose to which the predilection for foreign customs, already predominant among the prominent Jews (1Ma_1:12; 2Ma_4:10 sq.), doubtless contributed. The Jews, no doubt, by reason of their position between Syria and Egypt, were subject to many hardships unintentional on the part of Antiochus, and his generals may often have increased the severity of the measures enjoined upon them by him, on account of the usual rigid policy of his government toward foreigners; yet in the whole conduct of Antiochus toward the Jews an utter contempt for the people themselves, as well as a relentless hastiness of disposition, is quite evident. See HORN (Little).
4. ANTIOCHUS (V) EUPATOR (Εὐπάτωρ, having a noble father) succeeded. in B.C. 164. while yet a child (of nine years, Appian, Syr. 66; or twelve years, according to Porphyr. in Euseb. Chronicles Arm. 1, 348), his father Antiochus Epiphanes, under the guardianship of Lysias (Appian, Syr. 46; 1Ma_3:32 sq.), although Antiochus Epiph. on his deathbed had designated Philip as regent and guardian (1 Maccabees 6:14 sq., 55; 2Ma_9:29). Soon after his accession (B.C. 161) he set out with a large army for Judaea (1Ma_6:20), where Lysias already was, but hard pressed by the Jews (1Ma_3:39; 1Ma_6:21 sq.). Respecting the route that he took and the issue of the engagement which he fought with Judas Maccabaeus, the accounts do not agree (1Ma_6:1-63, and 2Ma_13:1-26; comp. Wernsdorf, De fide Maccab. p. 117; Eichhorn, Apokr. p. 265 sq.); that victory, however, was not on the side of Judas, as one of these states (2 Maccabees 13:29, 30), appears evident from all the circumstances. The statement (1Ma_6:47) that the Jews were compelled to retreat on account of the superiority of their enemies, is very probable, and corroborated by Josephus (War, 1, 1, 5; comp. Ant. 12, 9, 5). Antiochus repulsed Judas at Bethzacharia, and took Bethsura (Bethzur) after a vigorous resistance (1Ma_6:31-50). But when the Jewish force in the temple was on the point of yielding, Lysias persuaded the king to conclude a hasty peace that he might advance to meet Philip, who had returned from Persia and made himself master of Antioch (1Ma_6:51 sq.; Joseph. Ant. 12, 9, 5 sq.). Philip was speedily overpowered (Joseph. 1. c.); but in the next year (B.C. 162) Antiochus and Lysias fell into the hands of Demetrius Soter, the son of Seleucus Philopator, who now appeared in Syria and laid claim to the throne. Antiochus was immediately put to death by him (together with Lysias) in revenge for the wrongs which he had himself suffered from Antiochus Epiphanes (1Ma_7:1 sq.; 2Ma_14:1 sq.; Appian, Syr. 46; Justin, 34:3), after a reign (according to Eusebius) of two (full) years (Polyb. 31:19; Joseph. Ant. 12, 10, 1).
5. ANTIOCHUS (VI), surnamed EPIPHANES DIONYSUS (Ε᾿πιφανὴς Διόνυσος, illustrious Bacchus, on coins, see Eckhel, I, 3, 231 sq.; but THEOS, Θεός, god, by Josephus, Ant. 13, 7, 1), son of Alexander (Balas) king of Syria (Α᾿λέξανδρος Α᾿λεξάνδρου τοῦ νόθου, App. Syr. 68). After his father's death (B.C. 146) he remained in Arabia; but, though still a child (παιδίον, App. 1. c.; παιδάριον νεώτερον, 1Ma_11:54), he was soon afterward brought forward by Diodotus or Trypho (Strabo, 16:752), who had been one of his father's chief ministers at Antioch, as a claimant of the throne against Demetrius Nicator, and (through his generals) quickly obtained the succession by force of arms (1Ma_11:39; 1Ma_11:54), B.C. 145-144 (comp. Eckhel, Doctr. Num. I, 3, 231; Justin, 36:1; Appian, Syr. 68). Jonathan Maccabeeus, who joined his cause, was laden with rich presents and instated in the high-priesthood, and his brother Simon was appointed commander of the royal troops in Palestine (1Ma_11:57 sq.). Jonathan now reduced the whole land to subjection from Damascus to Antioch (1Ma_11:62), defeated the troops of Demetrius (1Ma_11:63 sq.), and even successfully repelled a fresh incursion of Demetrius into Palestine (1Ma_12:24 sq.); but hardly was Antiochus established on the throne when Trypho began to put into execution his long-cherished plan of seizing the royal power for himself (1Ma_12:39). In order to this, Trypho first of all advised the young prince to get the powerful Jonathan out of the way, and having succeeded by stratagem in confining him in prison, he soon after (B.C. 143) put him to death (1Ma_12:40 sq.). He then returned to Syria, caused Antiochus to be murdered, and seized upon the crown (1Ma_13:31 sq.; Joseph. Ant. 13, 5, 6; App. Syr. 68; Livy, Epit. 55 [where the decem annos admodum habens is incorrect]; Diod. ap. Miller, Fragm. 2, 19; Just. 36:1).
6. ANTIOCHUS (VII) SIDETES (Σιδήτης, from Sida in Pamphylia, where he was born, Euseb. Cheron. Arm. 1, 349, and not from his great love of hunting, Plutarch, Apophth. p. 34, ed. Lips., comp. ציד), called also EUSEBES (Εὐσεβής, pious, Josephus, Ant. 13, 8, 2); on coins EVERGETES (Εὐεργέτης, benefactor, see Eckhel, Doctr. Num. 3, 235), second son of Demetrius I. After his brother Demetrius (II) Nicator had been taken prisoner (B.C. cir. 141) by Mithridates I (Arsaces VI, 1Ma_14:1), kin, of Parthia, he married Demetrius's sister (wife) Cleopatra, B.C. 140 (Justin. 36:1), recovered the dominion of Syria (B.C. 137, comp. Niebuhr, Kl. Schr. 1, 251) from the atrocious Trypho (Strabo, 14:668), and ruled over it for nine years (1Ma_15:1 sq.). At first he made a very advantageous treaty with Simon, who was now “high-priest and prince of the Jews,” but when he grew independent of his help, he withdrew the concessions which he had made, and demanded the surrender of the fortresses which the Jews held, or an equivalent in money (1Ma_15:26 sq.; Josephus, Ant. 13, 7, 3). As Simon was unwilling to yield to his demands, he sent a force under Cendebaeus against him, who occupied a fortified position at Cedron (? 1Ma_15:41), near Azotus, and harassed the surrounding country. After the defeat of Cendebaeus by the sons of Simon and the destruction of his works (1Ma_16:1-10), Antiochus, who had returned from the pursuit of Trypho, undertook an expedition against Judaea in person. In the fourth year of his reign he besieged Jerusalem, and came near taking it by storm, but at length, probably through fear of the Romans, made peace on tolerable terms with John Hyrcanus (Josephus, Ant. 13, 8, 3, 4; comp. Euseb, Chronicles Arm. 1, 349). Antiochus next turned his arms against the Parthians, and Hyrcanus accompanied him in the campaign; but, after some successes, he was entirely defeated by Phraortes II (Arsaces VII), and fell in the battle (Josephus, Ant. 13, 8, 4; Justin. 38:10; Diod. Sic. Exc. Vat. p. 117 sq.), B.C. cir. 127-126 (App. Syr. 68; comp. Niebuhr, Kl. Schrift. 1, 251 sq.; Clinton, F. H. 2, 332 sq.). According to Athenseus (5, 210; 10, 439; 12:540), this king, like most of his predecessors, was inordinately given to the pleasures of the table (comp. Justin. 38:10). See CLEOPATRA 3.
7. ANTIOCHUS (VIII) GRYPUS (Γρυπός, from his aquiline nose), and on coins Epiphanes, was the second son of Demetrius Nicator and Cleopatra. After the murder of his brother Seleucus by his mother, she placed him on the throne, as being likely to submit to her dictation, B.C. 125; but with the assistance of Ptolemy Physcon, his father-in-law, he not only succepded in ejecting the usurper Alexander Zebina from Syria (Josephus, Ant. 13, 9, 3), but eventually compelled his mother to drink the poison that in her jealousy she prepared for him, B.C. 120. Eight years afterward a quarrel arose between him and his halfbrother Antiochus Cyzicenus about the succession (Josephus, Ant; 13, 10, 1), causing a protracted civil war that resulted in the partition of the kingdom of Syria between them and their descendants till the Roman conquest. He was assassinated, B.C. 96, in Heracleon, after a reign of 29 years (Josephus, Ant. 13, 13, 4), leaving four sons. (See Justin. 39:1-3; Livy, Epit. 60; Appian, Syr. p. 69; Athen. 12:540.) Most of his coins have his mother's bust together with his own (Eckhel, Doctr. Num. 3, 238). He appears to be the Antiochus Philometor (Φιλομήτωρ, lover of his mother) referred to by Josephus (Ant. 13, 12, 2).
8. ANTIOCHUS (IX) CYZICENUS (Κυζικηνός, from Cyzicus, where he was brought up), and on coins (Eckhel, 3, 241) Philopator (Φιλοπάτωρ, lover of his father), acquired possession of Cole-Syria and Phoenicia (B.C. 111-96) from his half-brother Antiochus Grypus (q.v.), on whose death he attempted to seize the whole of Syria, but was resisted by Seleucus, eldest son of the latter, by whom he was killed in battle, B.C. 95 (Josephus, Ant. 13, 13, 4). He made an unsuccessful campaign at Samaria, as related by Josephus (ib. 10, 2; War, 1, 2, 7), under the following circumstances: John Hyrcanus, prince and highpriest of the Jews, having besieged the city, the Samaritans invited Antiochus to their assistance. He advanced speedily to help them, but was overcome by Antigonus and Aristobulus, sons of Hyrcanus, who commanded the siege, and who pursued him to Scythopolis; after which they resumed the siege of Samaria, and blocked up the city so closely that the inhabitants again solicited Antiochus. Having received 6000 men from Ptolemy Lathyrus; son of Cleopatra, queen of Egypt, he wasted the lands belonging to the Jews, designing thereby to oblige Hyrcanus to raise the siege of Samaria, but his troops were at last dispersed, and Samaria was taken by storm, and razed by Hyrcanus.
9. ANTIOCHUS (X) EUSEBES (Εὐσεβής, pious), and on coins Philopator, the son of the preceding, whom he succeeded, B.C. 95, and defeated Seleucus of the rival portion of Syria, as well as the two brothers of the latter; but the Syrians, worn out with the continuation of the civil broil, at length offered the crown of all Syria to Tigranes, before whose full accession Antiochus perished in battle with the Parthians (Josephus, Ant. 13, 13, 4).
10. ANTIOCHUS (XI), who also assumed the title of Epiphanes (II), was one of the above-named sons of Antiochus Grypus and brothers of Seleucus, who contended with Antiochus Cyzicenus; he was defeated:and lost his life, B.C. cir. 94 (Josephus, Ant. 13, 13, 4), leaving the contest to his surviving brother Philip. assisted by another brother, Demetrius, till the dispute was finally terminated by Tigranes (q.v.) assuming supreme power of all Syria, thus putting an end to the Seleucid dynasty.
11. ANTIOCHUS (XII), the youngest son of Antiochus Grypus, surnamed likewise Dionysus (II), and on coins (Eckhel, 3, 246) Philopator CALLINICUS (Καλλίνικος, finely victorious), assumed the title of king after his brother Demetrius (see above) had been taken prisoner by the Parthians. He fell in battle against Aretas, king of the Arabians, after a brief exercise of power at Damascus, in opposition to his surviving brother Philip, B.C. cir. 90 (Josephus, Ant. 13, 15, 1).



CYCLOPEDIA OF BIBLICAL, THEOLOGICAL AND ECCLESIASTICAL
press 1895.

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