Antiochus IV Epiphanes

Antiochus IV Epiphanes (born c. 215 bce—died 164, Tabae, Iran) was the Seleucid king of the Hellenistic Syrian kingdom who reigned from 175 to 164 bce. As a ruler, he was best known for his encouragement of Greek culture and institutions. His attempts to suppress Judaism brought on the Wars of the Maccabees. Antiochus was the third son of Antiochus III the Great. After his father’s defeat by the Romans in 190–189, he served as...