antiochus

1 definition found

antiochus - Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary :

  Antiochus
  the name of several Syrian kings from B.C. 280 to B.C. 65. The
  most notable of these were, (1.) Antiochus the Great, who
  ascended the throne B.C. 223. He is regarded as the "king of the
  north" referred to in Dan. 11:13-19. He was succeeded (B.C. 187)
  by his son, Seleucus Philopater, spoken of by Daniel (11:20) as
  "a raiser of taxes", in the Revised Version, "one that shall
  cause an exactor to pass through the glory of the kingdom."
  
    (2.) Antiochus IV., surnamed "Epiphanes" i.e., the
  Illustrious, succeeded his brother Seleucus (B.C. 175). His
  career and character are prophetically described by Daniel
  (11:21-32). He was a "vile person." In a spirit of revenge he
  organized an expedition against Jerusalem, which he destroyed,
  putting vast multitudes of its inhabitants to death in the most
  cruel manner. From this time the Jews began the great war of
  independence under their heroic Maccabean leaders with marked
  success, defeating the armies of Antiochus that were sent
  against them. Enraged at this, Antiochus marched against them in
  person, threatening utterly to exterminate the nation; but on
  the way he was suddenly arrested by the hand of death (B.C.
  164).