Antiochus

Antiochus, the name of many kings of Syria of the Seleucian dynasty, the chief of them being: - Antiochus I., Soter (Saviour), so called because he saved his country from an irruption of the Gauls about 270 B.C.

Antiochus III., the Great, who succeeded in 225 B.C., and carried his victorious arms as far as India. The free cities of Greece being threatened by him applied to Rome for aid, and the two Scipios took the field against him, while Hannibal sought refuge at his court. Being defeated at Thermopylae (191) and Magnesia (190) he accepted a humiliating peace, and in 186 was killed whilst attempting to pillage a temple at Elymais.

Antiochus IV., Epiphanes (Illustrious), conquered Egypt (2 Macc. iv. 5), and on his way home determined to crush the rebellious Jews (171 B.C.). Entering Jerusalem, he is said to have killed 80,000 and sold or carried off an equal number of inhabitants. He also robbed the temple. Three years later he sent Apollonius (2 Macc. v. 24, 25) with orders to sweep away the whole population, or convert it to Greek Paganism. Judas Maccabeus successfully resisted this attempt, and recaptured the Temple. Antiochus died in 164 B.C.