Antiochus

(standing against) — this name was borne by many kings of Syria, especially in the time of the Maccabees. In Holy Scripture the following persons are indicated: a) Antiochus II, surnamed Theos (god), son of Antiochus I Soter, king of Syria. He is not named by name in Holy Scripture, but to him, it is thought, refers the prophecy of Daniel (11:6–9); b) Antiochus III the Great, son of Seleucus Callinicus Theos [as given], king of Syria (1 Macc. 8:6–8), killed by local inhabitants in Elymais while plundering a wealthy temple located there (Dan. 11:13–19); c) Antiochus IV Epiphanes (illustrious) (1 Macc. 1:10; [and] 16:20 [as given]), second son of Antiochus the Great, king of Syria, who plundered the Temple of Jerusalem and destroyed up to 40,000 Jews. During his persecution of believers and his attempt to introduce paganism into Syria, the Maccabees rose up in defense of the faith — Mattathias with his seven sons — who at last saved their fatherland.

Antiochus died in the most grievous and terrible torments, struck with a dreadful disease of the bowels, after a twelve-year reign; thus he came to his end, and there was none to help him, as the Book of the Prophet Daniel testifies (Dan. 11:45); d) Antiochus V Eupator (1 Macc. 3:33; 6:16–17), son of Antiochus Epiphanes, reigned two years. He was killed together with his guardian Lysias by Demetrius Soter, his uncle, who afterward occupied the hereditary throne (1 Macc. 7:1–4); e) Antiochus VI (1 Macc. 11:39, 40; 54–57), son of the Antiochene king Alexander Balas, who ascended the throne while still a youth.

He favored the Jews, but was soon killed by Diodotus, or Trypho, one of his military commanders; f) Antiochus VII Sidetes (from the city of Side, in Pamphylia), second son of Demetrius I; killed on a campaign against the Parthians, in which he lost the greater part of his army.