About this time Antiochus made a second attempt to invade Egypt. His forces saw a vision in the sky of golden-clad calvary armed with lances and drawn swords, attacks and counterattacks. The apparition continued for forty days. Everyone prayed that the apparition would prove to be a good omen.
When a rumor arose that Antiochus was dead, Jason made an assault on the city. Menelaus took refuge in the citadel. Jason continued the slaughter not realizing that killing one's kindred does not turn out well.
It didn't for him. Instead of gaining control of the country, he had to flee in disgrace. In exile, he fled from city to city, pursued by everyone, hated as a rebel against the law, and abhorred as the executioner of his country, and finally died in Egypt.
Meanwhile, Antiochus invaded the temple and abetted by Menelaus appropriated the holy vessels and a large sum of money. He hurried away to Antioch leaving behind governors to oppress the people of Jerusalem. Apolonius was sent with an army of 22,000 men was commanded to kill all the grown men in Jerusalem and sell the women and boys as slaves. His army did kill many people, but Judas Maccabees was able to escape (see 1 Macc 2:4).
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