Antiochos IV

Antiochos IV Épiphane ( Famous the ) is the son of Antiochos III Large the , born towards 215 av. J. - C and controls the kingdom Séleucide of 175 av. J. - C with 163 av. J. - C.

It succeeds, after having spent several years with Rome like hostage, with his brother Séleucos IV, having assassinated by its minister Héliodore whom it eliminates quickly. It is an ambiguous character, good war leader who seizes the Egypt in 168 av. J. - C but which must give up it under the pressure of the Roman ambassador Gaius Popilius Laenas (famous circle of Popilius), and which represents the last important reign of the dynasty.

It is especially its forced attempt at Hellénisation, in particular in Palestine, which involves its second nickname of Épimane (the Foolish one). It exasperates its subjects by its intolerance. In 168 av. J. - C it plunders and layman the temple of Jerusalem, by installing an idol there, destroyed the walls of the city, orders to offer pigs in holocausts, prohibited the circumcision and pursues the adversaries of the hellenisation. After its departure a revolt of the Jews bursts directed by the family of the Macchabées. The troops sent by Antiochos IV are beaten and the sovereign decides to take the things in hand. But he dies on the way towards Palestine while falling from horse in 163 av. J. - C. For certain Christian authors it symbolizes the figure of the Antéchrist.

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