219 In the war between Antiochus the Great and Ptolemy Philopator, Jerusalem is pillaged and the temple profaned by the latter. 217 =Simon II= becomes high priest. 204 Judea lost to the Ptolemies, under whom she has been happier than any time since she lost her independence, and comes under the rule of the Seleucidæ. 198 =Onias III= becomes high priest. Antiochus makes a bloodless capture of Jerusalem. His treatment of the Jews is very favourable. 187 Seleucus Philopator succeeds Antiochus. 176 Attempt of Heliodorus, instigated by the viceroy Apollonius, to plunder the temple. 175 Antiochus Epiphanes succeeds Seleucus. 175 =Onias=, friendly to the Egyptian party, is deposed by Antiochus IV, and retiring to Egypt with his followers founds Leontopolis. =Jason= becomes high priest. A Greek gymnasium established at Jerusalem. 172 =Menelaus= ousts Jason from the priesthood. Antiochus intervenes in the resulting quarrel. Menelaus is forcibly installed as high priest and Apollonius takes Jerusalem. Profanation of the temple. Daily sacrifice and other rites suspended. THE MACCABÆAN RISING TO THE FALL OF JERUSALEM (167 B.C.-70 A.D.) 167 There is a rising at Modin, under the priest Mattathias, because Syrian officers try to compel the Jews to worship heathen deities. Many desperate adherents flock to Mattathias’ standard, and a large band is soon roaming the country destroying heathen altars and enforcing circumcision. Mattathias dies (166) making Judas Maccabæus his successor. A systematic campaign is now decided upon. 166 Judas Maccabæus defeats the Syrians at Emmaus. 165 Judas Maccabæus defeats the Syrians at Bethzur, reconsecrates the temple and restores daily sacrifice. 164 Antiochus Eupator. The Book of Daniel is written. 162 Judas attempts to expel the Syrian garrison from Acra, meets a crushing defeat from the Syrians at Bethzur. =Alcimus=, leader of the Hellenistic party, becomes high priest, to the resentment of the Maccabæans. Demetrius I usurps the Syrian throne, and has Antiochus killed. 161 Judas defeats Nicanor, the Syrian, at Beth-horon (Adasa). Nicanor slain. Judas defeated and killed at Elasa. He had made secret overtures to Rome. Judas’ brother Jonathan succeeds to the leadership of the party. 159 Death of Alcimus. An interregnum in the high-priestship. Jonathan establishes himself at Michmash as governor of the Jewish nation. 153 Alexander Balas, a pretender to the Syrian throne, makes =Jonathan= high priest. 150 Death of Demetrius. 145 Alexander Balas killed by Ptolemy Philometor. Demetrius II succeeds. Confirms Jonathan in the priesthood.