In 167 BC, Antiochus IV, a successor of Alexander the Great, captured Jerusalem. In three days, 80,000 women, children, and infants were killed or sold into slavery.
Antiochus sought to impose Greek pagan practices across Judea, outlawing Jewish religious customs and enforcing Hellenistic worship. The atrocities he committed against the Jewish people stand as one of the darkest periods of oppression in Jewish history.
Antiochus desecrated the Jewish Temple by erecting a statue of Zeus, where pagan sacrifices were then performed. Greek idols were installed in cities throughout Judea. The Jews were forced to worship them under threat of torture or death.
Mothers and their circumcised infants were executed and displayed as a warning. One detailed account describes a mother and her seven sons who were arrested for refusing to eat pork. One by one, her sons were tortured and killed in front of her. Despite the horrific circumstances, the entire family died steadfast in their faith.
Antiochus’ campaign to erase Jewish identity and enforce paganism fueled fierce resistance, ultimately sparking the Maccabean Revolt. Led by Judas Maccabeus, the Jewish people engaged in guerrilla warfare, eventually achieving a hard-won victory. They reclaimed the Temple in 160 BC. This triumph is commemorated during Hanukkah, a festival that honors the resilience and faith of those who stood against oppression.
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