Three Major events in Antiochus
Epiphane's life
Greek Hostage becomes King of Syria
In 175 B.C.E Antiochus Epiphanes was seated in
a ivory chair. He pronounced judgment and would also decide disputes
among his people in regarding minute matters. He always had a royal
spirit, in that he gave donations to cities and also donations to the gods.
He had many great deeds for the gods including the temple of Olympian
Jove in Athens, Greece. He adorned Delos with altars and statues.
He erected a phenomenal temple to Capitoline Jove, that was painted with
ceilings of gold and walls covered in glided panels. Overall he was
a great king, and conquered many other superior kings throughout his rule.
Jerusalem Occupied and Hellenized
In 167 B.C.E Antiochus Epiphanes sent one of
his captains to charge tribute in the cities of Judah. He set a
fire to the city, destroying houses and all the walls surrounding Jerusalem.
He took women and children captive and took the animals. Then the
Greeks built the city of David, known for its gigantic walls and strongly
built towers, this became their citadel. The king sent messengers to
hand-deliver scrolls to the people of Jerusalem and the cities of Judah,
ordering these people to adopt customs not known by the land; to prohibit
holocausts and sacrifices in the sanctuary.
Greeks Crucify Dissident Jews
The Jews followed the Syrian Kings orders, some
of them were voluntarily but also through fear of paying the penalty announced.
The noblest and best-born persons did not concern him but held native customs
for more than the penalty that he threatened for those who did not obey his
orders. For this they all died subject to their bitter tortures. Their
bodies were brutally beat and crucified while still alive. But their
wives and children were circumcised by the kings policy. The children
hung from the necks of the crucified fathers.