Antiochus Epiphanes relationship to the history of Jerusalem



    Antiochus Epiphanes took Jerusalem by force in 167 BCE, and set about to Hellenize Judea.  He destroyed the temple, and forced Jews to adopt Greek culture and religion.  He instituted laws forbidding ritual circumcising, observance of the Sabbath, and holidays.  Sacrifices tot he gods were to be made by every Judean town.  Each months soldiers searched the houses to see whether or not they had the Torah and if their children had been circumcised. 




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