Talk:Antiochus IV Epiphanes

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Translation seems faulty; "Image of God"? In a polytheistic society?

It was very common to use "theos" as a generic form describing divine things as a whole; also see syncretism. Stan 20:11, 26 December 2005 (UTC)

Can the opinion of religion about this king not be included?

You'd have to give some source; that is, say which important churchman advanced this interpretation.--Aldux 22:38, 19 May 2006 (UTC)

Right, I quite agree

In reference to the Jews calling Antiochus "the madman" (Epimanes, as a play on Epiphanes), I spent some time looking into the subject about 15 years ago or so and was not able to find any authority for it. Every student of the period "knows" it, but I was not able to find any direct evidence. On the other hand, a contemporary historian (Polybius of Megalopolis, I believe) indicates that Antiochus was called Epimanes by some of his friends because of his "wild and crazy" behavior. Another writer (Livy perhaps, but I am not at all certain) makes the epithet derogatory and puts it in the mouths of his (political) enemies, but not the Jews. It is my opinion that the story as regards the Jews was originated by some religious writer, probably of the 19th century. I'd be happy to see anyone's case on either side of this issue.Opaanderson 17:25, 5 December 2006 (UTC)

Contents

[edit] Spirit of Revenge

Revenge for what? it is never made clear. It appears that he sacks jeruslame in revenge against rome, but thats just a guess. Larklight 22:03, 5 March 2007 (UTC)

Yeah this statement is not helpful in the slightest, if anything the pillaging of the temple was done out of the need of money not "the spirit of revenge". El Chimpo 13:22, 6 June 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Book of Daniel

Can there be no mention of the belief that Epiphanes was predicted in the Book of Daniel?CharlesRobertCountofNesselrode 11:41, 14 May 2007 (UTC)

[edit] source for accents

ænˈtɑi̯əkəs.ɛˈpɪfəniːz I would like to know where the accents for this pronunciation come from. I would have accneted his name, in English, as either An ti' o chus E pi' pha nes or An ti o' chus E pi pha' nes —Preceding unsigned comment added by 99.224.220.52 (talk) 14:05, 4 November 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Tone and style

Antiochus' humilation at Egypt was followed by the most well-remembered aspect of his policy, namely his confrontation with the Jews, which ignited their uprising under the Maccabean leaders. Aside from their interest for Jewish and Seleucid history, these events are of interest as among the first instances in world history of religious persecution, a hitherto nearly unknown phemomenon which would in coming centuries assume an important role in human affairs.

The tone and style is wrong. Facts first, then perhaps a comment on their significance. "Confrontantion" is too vague. The claim this is "among the first..." requires a citation. To whom does the "their" in "their interest for..." refer to? patsw 03:10, 2 December 2007 (UTC)

Their="Jews". For the specific historical events see the various Maccabees article. AnonMoos (talk) 11:12, 16 February 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Name

Epiphanes does not really mean "Shining one" as a Greek word. AnonMoos (talk) 11:12, 16 February 2008 (UTC)