| CONTEMPORANEOUS EVENTS. | |
|---|---|
| 323-205 b.c. | |
| b.c. | |
| Beginning of the first Punic War | 264 |
| Second Punic War | 218 |
| Battle of Canna | 216 |
CHAPTER VII.
JUDEA UNDER THE YOKE OF SYRIA.
The Bright Horseman—The Temple Profaned—The Image of Jupiter—The Mother and her Seven Sons.
Antiochus the Great died, 187 b.c., and Seleucus Philopater succeeded. It is during the reign of this monarch that some remarkable events are said to have occurred, as related in the book of the Maccabees.
Simon, a Benjamite, having been appointed governor of the temple, some disputes arose between him and Onias, who was high priest at the time. Finding that he was unable to prevail against him whom the Jews regarded as their lawful chief, Simon fled to Apollonius, the governor of Cœle-Syria and Palestine, under King Seleucus, and informed him that great treasures were laid up in the [temple at Jerusalem]. This account, as was probably intended, excited the cupidity of the king, and Heliodoros his treasurer was despatched to seize upon the coveted wealth.
Heliodoros arrived at Jerusalem, and was courteously received by Onias. The treasurer declared to him the purpose of his journey, and asked him whether the report were true that much gold was to be found in the temple.
Onias replied that there was indeed money laid up there for the relief of widows and orphans, but earnestly expostulated against any attempt to carry away from the temple the treasure committed to his trust.