Palaestra
Archimandrite Nikifor’s Biblical Encyclopedia
(2 Macc. 4:12–14; 1 Macc. 1:14)—a public school in which young men practiced gymnastic exercises. The high priest Jason deliberately established such a school in Jerusalem beneath the citadel in order to gratify the Gentiles, spread pagan customs among his people, and foster an inclination toward Hellenism. The games of the palaestra became so attractive that the priests ceased to be zealous in the service of the altar; despising the temple and neglecting the sacrifices, they hurried to take part in the unlawful games when the signal of the discus called them.