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The wicked ruler Antiochus Epiphanes, son of King Antiochus the Third of Syria, was a descendant of one of Alexander's generals. Antiochus Epiphanes had been a hostage in Rome before he became king of Syria in the year 137.
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At that time there appeared in the land of Israel a group of traitorous Jews who had no regard for the Law and who had a bad influence on many of our people. They said, "Let's come to terms with the Gentiles, for our refusal to associate with them has brought us nothing but trouble."
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This proposal appealed to many people,
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and some of them became so enthusiastic about it that they went to the king and received from him permission to follow Gentile customs.
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They built in Jerusalem a stadium like those in the Greek cities.
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They had surgery performed to hide their circumcision, abandoned the holy covenant, started associating with Gentiles, and did all sorts of other evil things.
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When Antiochus had firmly established himself as king, he decided to conquer Egypt and rule that country as well as Syria.
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He invaded Egypt with a large fleet of ships and a powerful army, including chariots, elephants, and cavalry.
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When the attack came, King Ptolemy of Egypt turned and fled, and many of his soldiers were killed.
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Antiochus was able to capture the fortified cities of Egypt and plunder the whole land.
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In the year 143, after the conquest of Egypt, Antiochus marched with a great army against the land of Israel and the city of Jerusalem.