dors to Antiochus, and an epistle, whose contents
are these: "To king Antiochus the god, Epiphanes, a memorial from the
Sidonians, who live at Shechem. Our forefathers, upon certain frequent
plagues, and as following a certain ancient superstition, had a custom
of observing that day which by the Jews is called the Sabbath. [18] And
when they had erected a temple at the mountain called Gerrizzim, though
without a name, they offered upon it the proper sacrifices. Now,
upon the just treatment of these wicked Jews, those that manage their
affairs, supposing that we were of kin to them, and practiced as they
do, make us liable to the same accusations, although we be originally
Sidonians, as is evident from the public records. We therefore beseech
thee, our benefactor and Savior, to give order to Apollonius, the
governor of this part of the country, and to Nicanor, the procurator of
thy affairs, to give us no disturbance, nor to lay to our charge what
the Jews are accused for, since we are aliens from their nation, and
from their customs; but let our temple, which at present hath no name at
all be named the Temple of Jupiter Hellenius. If this were once done,
we should be no longer disturbed, but should be more intent on our own
occupation with quietness, and so bring in a greater revenue to thee."
When the Samaritans had petitioned for this, the king sent them back
the following answer, in an epistle: "King Antiochus to Nicanor. The
Sidonians, who live at Shechem, have sent me the memorial enclosed. When
therefore we were advising with our friends about it, the messengers
sent by them represented to us that they are no way concerned with
accusations which belong to the Jews, but choose to live after the
customs of the Greeks. Accordingly, we declare them free from such
accusations, and order that, agreeable to their petition, their temple
be named the Temple of Jupiter Hellenius." He also sent the like
epistle to Apollonius, the governor of that part of the country, in the
forty-sixth year, and the eighteenth day of the month Hecatorabeom.

CHAPTER 6. How, Upon Antiochus's Prohibition To The Jews To Make Use
Of The Laws Of Their Country Mattathias, The Son Of Asamoneus, Alone
Despised The King, And Overcame The Generals Of Antiochus's Army; As
Also Concerning The Death Of Mattathias, And The Succession Of Judas.

1. Now at this time there was one whose name was Mattathias, who dwelt
at Modin, the son of John, the son