GORGIAS, an eminent Captain in the Troops of Antiochus Epiphanes, was sent with Lycias into Judæa by Nicanor, at the head of an army consisting of forty thousand foot, and seven thousand horse, with orders to 1 Macc. iii. 38. In the year of the World 3839, before J. C. 161, before the Vulgar Æra 165.ravage the country, as King Antiochus had commanded before his departure; for he was at that time beyond the Euphrates. These two Generals advanced as far as Emmaüs. Judas Maccabæus having likewise gathered his little body of troops together, marched the same way. Gorgias sent a detachment of five thousand foot, and a thousand chosen horse, with an intention to surprize him: but Judas having got intelligence of their design, decamped, and went with his forces to attack 1 Macc. iv. 1, 2, & seq.Nicanor, who continued in his camp with the greatest part of his army. Nicanor was defeated, and his army routed. Gorgias having in vain sought for Maccabæus, returned towards his camp; but seeing it in the possession of the Hebrews, he retreated, and durst not run the hazard of a battle.
In the year of the World 3841, before J. C. 159, before the Vulgar Æra 163. a 2 Macc. xii. 33, 34, 35. b 2 Macc. v. 59. c 2 Macc. xii. 32. d 2 Macc. viii. 9. e See 2 Mac. x. 14, 15. and viii. 9. and 1 Mac. v. 9.Two years after, Gorgias and Judas Maccabæus engaging in Idumæa, a some few of the Jews were killed upon the spot; at which time a trooper, named Dositheus, was upon the point of seizing Gorgias, and taking him alive; but a Thracian horseman, having wounded Dositheus in the shoulder, gave Gorgias an opportunity to escape to Marisa. As Gorgias was Governour of Jamnia b and Idumæa, c and moreover a man of great experience in the trade of war d, there were actions frequently between him, Judas Maccabæus, and his brethren, but almost always with disadvantage on his side e. We know nothing concerning his death.