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.