The feelings of the Jews with reference to this wolfish shepherd
may easily be imagined. Nothing but fear of Antiochus held them
in check. Then a report gained currency that the king had
perished in an expedition against Egypt (170); and Jason, who
meanwhile had found refuge in Ammanitis, availed himself of the
prevailing current of feeling to resume his authority with the
help of one thousand men. He was not able, however, to hold the
position long, partly because he showed an unwise vindictiveness
against his enemies, partly (and chiefly) because the rumour of
the death of Antiochus turned out to be false. The king was
already, in fact, close at hand on his return from Egypt, full of
anger at an insurrection which he regarded as having been directed
against himself. He inflicted severe and bloody chastisement
upon Jerusalem, carried off the treasures of the temple, and
restored Menelaus, placing Syrian officials at his side. Jason
fled from place to place, and ultimately died in misery at
Lacedaemon.
The deepest despondency prevailed in Judaea; but its cup of
sorrow was not yet full. Antiochus, probably soon after his last
Egyptian expedition (168), sent Apollonius with an army against
Jerusalem.
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