ABSTRACT
The traditional view, which still dominates scholarship, of events related to Antiochus IV Epiphanes' acts in Jerusalem and his role in Jewish history, is based on a conviction of his unparalleled aversion toward Jews, their traditions, and religion. However, scholars seem to agree on one aspect, namely on the strange disinclination of the king toward the Jews. This chapter argues that this scholarly conviction of Antiochus prejudice is based primarily on the creativity of sources and their biases. Antiochus introduced his direct control over Judea by establishing the officials, whose presence in Jerusalem shows a lack of confidence in Jewish loyalty. The restoration of the cult in Jerusalem played, for the Hasmoneans, the role of mythological foundation act. If Antiochus had died, they would have taken over power in Jerusalem and awaited the Egyptians. This perspective makes Jason's act an obvious anti-Antiochean political action.
