Chapter XI: The Age of the Maccabees

(175-140 B. C. E.)

(_See the Table of the High Priests, p. 128._)

EGYPTIAN KINGS.

181. Ptolemy VI Philometor,
146. Ptolemy VII Physcon _and_ Ptolemy VIII Lathurus.

SYRIAN KINGS.

175. Antiochus IV Epiphanes,
164. Antiochus V Eupator,
162. Demetrius I Soter,
150. Alexander I Balas,
146. Demetrius II Nicator _and_ Antiochus VI (son of Alexander Balas),
Diodotus Tryphon, _and_ Antiochus VII Sidetes.

175. Antiochus IV Epiphanes ascends the throne of Syria.

174. The Hellenists induce Antiochus IV to divest Onias
III of the high-priestly dignity, and under Jason
obtain citizenship for Judæans
trained for the Greek combats.

Gymnasiums and the Greek games at Jerusalem.

172. Menelaus (Onias) the Benjamite made high priest by
Antiochus IV.

171. Death of Onias III; Menelaus guilty of Temple
robbery, but exonerated by Antiochus IV.

168. Antiochus IV attacks Jerusalem, and desecrates the
Holy of Holies.

168, Tammuz 17. A STATUE OF JUPITER PLACED IN THE TEMPLE by the
Syrians.

The Chassidim suffer martyrdom.

_Mattathias the Hasmonæan resists the Syrian
overseer._

=167.= =Judas Maccabæus= victorious in his first battle
with the Syrians under Apollonius.

166. Judas Maccabæus victorious over Heron at Beth-horon.

The Book of Daniel written.

Judas Maccabæus victorious over Gorgias at Emmaus.

165. Judas Maccabæus victorious over Lysias at Bethzur.

165, Kislev 25. THE TEMPLE RE-DEDICATED (Chanukah).

Judas Maccabæus and his brothers victorious over the
Idumæans, Ammonites, and Philistines.

164. Death of Antiochus IV Epiphanes.

163. Judas Maccabæus retreats before Lysias at
Beth-Zachariah; his brother Eleazar Hauran killed.

Jerusalem besieged by Lysias.

Judas Maccabæus high priest.

162(about). The _Onias Temple_ built at Leontopolis in Egypt by
Onias IV, son of Onias III, the first _Alabarch_.

The Hellenists calumniate Judas Maccabæus before
Demetrius I. Alcimus made high priest. Factions
under Judas and Alcimus.

160. Judas Maccabæus victorious over Nicanor at
Caphar-Salama and Adarsa. _He makes overtures to
the Romans._

The Judæans defeated at Eleasa by the Syrians under
Bacchides; JUDAS MACCABÆUS KILLED.

Parties in Judæa: Chassidim, Hasmonæans, Hellenists.

_Jonathan Haphus_, brother of Judas, defends himself
unsuccessfully against Bacchides; his brother
Johanan Gadi killed in a skirmish with the Bene
Amri.

159. Judæa evacuated by the Syrians.

157. The Syrian war renewed at the instigation of the
Hellenists.

152. Jonathan Haphus high priest; his friendship sought
by Demetrius I and Alexander Balas.

152-143. The Judæans under Jonathan Haphus participate in the
struggles between Alexander Balas, his son
Antiochus VI, Diodotus Tryphon, and Demetrius II
for the Syrian crown.

=150=(about). The Pentateuch translated into Greek: =the
Septuagint=.

143. Jonathan Haphus executed by Diodotus Tryphon.

143. Simon Tharsi, last of the Hasmonæan brothers, made
high priest and leader by the people.

141. End of the Hellenist party.

140. JUDÆA AND ROME ALLIES.