Seleucus Callimcus, the sonne of Antiochus, hadde two sonnes; to wit, Seleucus surnamed Ceraunus, and Antio∣chus Magnus. Seleucus Ceraunus liued but three yeres, and then left ye kingdom to his brother Antiochus Magnus. Which Antiochus made warre against Ptolemeus Philopator the king of Egypt and his sonne Epiphanes, by meanes whereof the Iewes and church of God, was in continuall affliction. This Antiochus had the repulse in his first attempt; yet after ye death of Ptolemeus, (who before his death commended his sonne to the protection of the Romaines,) he returned with a great ar∣mie into Egypt. By this occasion, long warres were betweene the Romaines and Antiochus. Hanniball and many Regions in Greece, ioyned themselues to Antiochus. Neuerthelesse hee was so often discomfited in battaile, that he was enforced to seek for conditions of peace. And besides this, hee was glad to send his sonne Epiphanes to Rome for an hostage. In the end, when he went about the sacking of the rich Temple of Belus in Syria, the multitude of the Citizens slewe him and all his guard.
The Iewes (saith Carion) liued in great peace, from the time of Alexander to Antiochus Magnus. But when warres beganne betweene the Assyrians and Egytians, then ye Iewes being seated in the middes, were oppressed on both sides. At length (saith Iosephus) Antiochus was victor, and brought the Iewes vnder his subiection. But so soone as Philopator was dead, his sonne Ptolomeus Epiphanes sent a mightie armie into Syria; vnder the conduction of Scopa: who recouered cer∣taine Cities in Syria, and a good part of Iudea. Yet within a short space after, Antiochus skirmishing with Scopa, neere to Iordan, had the vpper hand, and tooke the cities againe from Scopa. Then the Iewes yeelded them selues to Antiochus, receiued his armie voluntarily within the walles, and affoorded