How does royal rule become persecution?

Alexander son of Philip the Macedonian, first ruling Greece and coming from Cethim, overthrows Darius of the Persians and Medes. Battles, strongholds, slain kings and spoils precede quiet, a strong army, an exalted heart and tributary nations and princes. On his bed he knows he will die and divides his kingdom among nobles raised with him while still alive. The edition acknowledges Q.Curtius’s different account and his admission that some authors held this opinion, then judges it erroneous against the sacred text. Alexander dies after twelve years; servants and later sons crown themselves and multiply evils.

Antiochus the Illustrious, formerly Rome’s hostage, begins in Greek year 137. The edition identifies Epiphanes, younger son of Antiochus the Great, usurping the place of Demetrius, son of his elder brother Seleucus Philopater, and counts years from Seleucus Nicator rather than Alexander. Wicked Israelites advocate a heathen covenant, blaming separation for evils. Some gain royal license, build Jerusalem’s exercise place, make themselves prepuces, abandon the holy covenant and join heathens. Antiochus seeks Egypt to rule two kingdoms, enters with chariots, elephants, horsemen and ships, defeats the fleeing Ptolemee, and takes cities and spoils.

Returning in year 143, he attacks Israel and Jerusalem. He enters the sanctuary proudly and takes the gold altar, light’s candlestick and vessels, proposition table, pouring vessels, vials, little gold mortars, veil, crowns and front ornament, breaking them in pieces. Silver, gold, precious vessels and hidden treasure are removed. Slaughter and proud speech bring mourning throughout Israel: princes and elders, virgins and young men, women, bridegrooms and brides share the land’s confusion.

After two full years the chief tribute collector, identified by the edition as Apollonius, comes with a multitude. His deceitful peaceful words are believed before sudden slaughter, plunder, fire and demolition of houses and walls. Women, children and cattle are taken. David’s city becomes a walled, towered fortress, identified as Sion’s castle. Wicked men store armour, food and Jerusalem’s spoils, forming an ambush against the sanctuary. The edition explains evil devil as a continually harmful adversary. Innocent blood defiles the place; residents flee and strangers inhabit the city. Sanctuary desolation, mournful festivals, reproached Sabbaths and lost honors replace glory.

Antiochus commands one people and abandonment of their laws. Nations and many Israelites consent, offering to idols and profaning Sabbath. Letters forbid holocausts, sacrifices, atonements, Sabbaths and festivals, command holy places and people profaned, idol temples and altars built, swine and unclean beasts immolated, children uncircumcised and God’s law and justifications forgotten. Refusal means death; appointed rulers enforce sacrifice. Apostates gather and drive Israelites into hiding. On 15 Casleu 145 the abominable idol, identified as Jupiter Olympius, stands on God’s altar; other altars arise, and incense and sacrifice occur at doors and streets. Law books are cut and burned; possession or observance brings death month after month. On the 25 th sacrifice is made on the idol altar over against God’s. Women circumcising children are killed, children hung about their necks in their houses, and circumcisers killed. Many choose death rather than unclean food or breaking the law and are executed; great wrath falls upon the people. The account supplies no fatal disease diagnosis for Alexander or invented inspection procedures.