ABSTRACT
. In Syria “an unparalleled comedy was to be played” in which Jonathan was called upon to take a prominent part. A young man from Smyrna, named Balas, of low birth, but with a startling resemblance to Antiochus Eupator, announced himself as also a son of Antiochus Epiphanes, and laid claim to the throne in Antioch. Attalus II., King of Pergamum, who gave to the young pretender the name of Alexander, Ptolemy Philometor of Egypt and Ariarathes V. of Cappadocia, supported his claim. He gained, besides, the recognition of Rome, which was ready at any moment to make trouble in Syria (Polyb. xxxiii. 16). The time was ripe for a change in Syria itself, for Demetrius had become a miserable drunkard (Polyb. xxxiii. 14, sect. 1), and had alienated his own people by his sloth and his harsh, overbearing conduct. Accordingly, when Alexander arrived at Ptolemais, the soldiers gave the town into his hands, and the struggle for the throne began. Demetrius knew only too well the fighting strength of the Jews, and, in his alarm, one of his first projects was to make them his friends. He despatched ambassadors to Jonathan granting him the right to assemble troops and delivered into his hands the hostages which Bacchides had shut up in the citadel. Jonathan went to Jerusalem in vested with full power, and improved his time in fortifying the city and the temple mount. With the exception of those in the citadel, and at Bethsur, all the defenders of the various fortresses fled to Antioch, and Jonathan’s position was greatly strengthened (I. Mac. x. 3–14). This, however, was but the beginning of favors that came very near making Judea completely independent. Balas heard of the promises of Demetrius and also of the quality of the Maccabeans, and, resolving that Demetrius should not outbid him, he sent messengers with a letter to Jonathan containing his appointment as high-priest and with a purple robe and a crown of gold, insignia of his future princely rank. Jonathan accepted them all, and at the Feast of Tabernacles in 153 B. c. put on, for the first time, the vestments of the high-priest (I. Mac. x. 15–21). He was now, indeed, prince of Judea. He had gained at one stroke, and with no effort on his part, what Judas had failed to attain after a long, brave struggle. He was not, however, as yet complete master of Judea. The citadel was still in the possession of his opponents, and the taxes had not been remitted. Nevertheless, if he could maintain himself, he had made a long advance toward independence.
