Antiochus the Great (III)

In the Year of the World 3800, before J. C. 200, before the vulgar Æra 204.III. ANTIOCHUS THE GREAT, is very much celebrated in the Greek and Roman Histories for the Wars carried on by him against the Egyptians and Romans. We shall not enlarge much on his Actions in these Wars; but shall confine ourselves to what more immediately relates to the History of the Jews. Antiochus was the Son of Seleucus Callinicus, and Brother to Seleucus Ceraunus. Antiochus succeeded his Brother Seleucus in the year of the World 3781. before J.C. 219. He made War with Ptolemy Philopator King of Egypt, but was defeated near Raphia, as is related in the third book of Maccabees, Chap. i. Thirteen years after, Ptolemy Philopator being dead, Antiochus resolved to make himself Master of Egypt; and immediately seized on Cœle-Syria, Phœnicia, and Judæa¹. But Scopas, General of the King of Egypt’s Troops, having entred Judæa, while Antiochus was taken up with the War against Attalus, re-took those places which Antiochus had usurped In the Year of the World 3806, before J. C. 194, before the vulgar Æra 198. In the same year 3806.from the King of Egypt². Soon after this, Antiochus recovered what Scopas had retaken from him³.

Upon this occasion happened that which Josephus relates, concerning this Prince’s journey to Jerusalem. After the Victory which Antiochus obtained over Scopas near the Springs of Jordan, he made himself Master of the strong places in Cœle- Syria, and Samaria; and the Jews submitted freely to him, received him into their City and furnished his army plentifully with provisions, and what was necessary for his Elephants. As an acknowledgment of their affection, Antiochus made a Grant to them, which is mentioned by Josephus⁴ of twenty thousand pieces of Silver to purchase Beasts for their Sacrifices, of one thousand four hundred and sixty measures of Meal, and three hundred seventy five measures of Salt, to be offered with the Sacrifices, and of so much Wood as was necessary to rebuild the Porches of the Lord’s House. He declared his will, that the Senators, Priests, Scribes, and singing Men of the Temple should be exempt from the Tribute paid in the way of Capitationtax. Lastly, he gave the Jews liberty to live according to their own Laws all over his Dominions. He remitted the third part of their Tribute to indemnify them for the losses which they had sustained during the Wars; he forbad the Heathens from entring the Temple without being purified, and to bring into the city the flesh of Mules, Asses, and Horses to sell, under the penalty of paying three thousand Drachma’s, as a Fine for the offence.

In the Year of the World 3815, before J. C. 185.In the year of the world 3812 he married his daughter Cleopatra with Ptolemy Epiphanes King of Egypt, and gave Cœle- Syria, Phœnicia, and Judæa for her Dowryi, upon condition that the Tributes arising from these three Provinces, should be equally divided between the two Sovereigns, that is to say, between the King of Syria, and the King of Egypt. Three years after he was overcome by the Romans, and obliged to make a cession of all that he possessed beyond Mount Taurus, and to give twenty hostages, among whom was his own Son Antiochus, sirnamed afterwards Epiphanes. The Romans moreover imposed a Tribute on him, consisting of twelvetwelve-thousand Euboic Talents⁵, each of fourteen Roman pounds weight. To satisfy the charge which the Romans had put him to, Antiochus resolved to carry off the great treasures laid up in the Temple of Belus at Elymais⁶. But the people of this Country being informed of his design, surprized him, and destroyed him with all his army, in the year of the world 3817, before J. C. 183, before the vulgar Æra 187. He left two Sons, Seleucus Philopator, and Antiochus Epiphanes, who succeeded him, and both reigned one after the other.

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