Difference between revisions of "Category:Alcimus (subject)"
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==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
Alcimus was appointed High Priest by [[Antiochus V Eupator]] and [[Lysias]] to succeed [[Menelaus]], who was blamed by the [[Seleucids]] for all trouble in Jerusalem and executed as a traitor | Alcimus was appointed High Priest by [[Antiochus V Eupator]] and [[Lysias]] to succeed [[Menelaus]], who was blamed by the [[Seleucids]] for all trouble in Jerusalem and ultimately executed as a traitor for his compromise with the [[Maccabees]]. | ||
Like [[Menelaus]], Alcimus was not a member of the [[House of Zadok]]) (though he was an Aaronite). He was pro-Seleucid and fiercely anti-Hasmonean. He must have appeared as a moderate leader of the Hellenistic party in the eyes of many [[Aaronites]] and [[Hasidim]], who opposed the dynastic ambition of the Maccabees and at least initially, welcomed Alcimus' appointment. The possibility that the writing of [[1 Baruch]] be connected to Alcimus' appointment, would shed more light on an otherwise obscure figure. | |||
The | Alcimus somehow managed to be reconfirmed under [[Demetrius I Soter]], by showing at Antioch as head of an Anti-Maccabean delegation who welcomed the new king. Alcimus asked for the king's assistance to secure his power in Jerusalem in his continuous fight against the supporters of [[Judas Maccabeus]]. The general [[Bacchides]] was sent to Judea to accomplish the mission but after he left, [[Judas Maccabeus]] defeated the Seleucid army of [[Nicanor]]. Bacchides returned to Judea, and [[Judas Maccabeus]] was killed in battle. At this point [[Alcimus]] and the Hellenistic party thought they could restart some reforms in the Temple. The attempt to demolish a wall in the sanctuary raised a lot of opposition. The sudden death of Alcimus appeared as a sign of displeasure by God, the work was interrupted and the high priesthood remained apparently vacant for some years, until the victory of the Maccabean party marked the defeat of the Hellenistic party and opened a new page in the history of the Jewish priesthood. | ||
==Alcimus in ancient sources== | ==Alcimus in ancient sources== | ||
* [[Alcimus (sources)]] -- survey of ancient sources | Alcimus is mentioned in 1 & 2 Maccabees and in Josephus' Jewish Antiquities. All sources are hostile to him. They seem to agree that Alcimus was appointed by [[Antiochus V]] and [[Lysias]] after Menelaus was removed from office and executed. According to the Books of Maccabees Judas Maccabeus was killed in battle before the death of Alcimus. In Ant XII Josephus puts the death of Alcimus first, and claims that Judas Maccabeus became the new High Priest before dying in battle, a notion that however he himself later contradicts in Ant XX. Josephus also maintains that [[Menelaus]] was a member of the House of Zadok and [[Onias IV]] fled to Egypt only when [[Alcimus]] took the High Priesthood. | ||
* See [[Alcimus (sources)]] -- survey of ancient sources | |||
==Alcimus in scholarship== | ==Alcimus in scholarship== | ||
Latest revision as of 13:06, 25 August 2012
Alcimus (2nd century BCE) was the Jewish High Priest, 162-159 BCE.
Overview
Alcimus was appointed High Priest by Antiochus V Eupator and Lysias to succeed Menelaus, who was blamed by the Seleucids for all trouble in Jerusalem and ultimately executed as a traitor for his compromise with the Maccabees.
Like Menelaus, Alcimus was not a member of the House of Zadok) (though he was an Aaronite). He was pro-Seleucid and fiercely anti-Hasmonean. He must have appeared as a moderate leader of the Hellenistic party in the eyes of many Aaronites and Hasidim, who opposed the dynastic ambition of the Maccabees and at least initially, welcomed Alcimus' appointment. The possibility that the writing of 1 Baruch be connected to Alcimus' appointment, would shed more light on an otherwise obscure figure.
Alcimus somehow managed to be reconfirmed under Demetrius I Soter, by showing at Antioch as head of an Anti-Maccabean delegation who welcomed the new king. Alcimus asked for the king's assistance to secure his power in Jerusalem in his continuous fight against the supporters of Judas Maccabeus. The general Bacchides was sent to Judea to accomplish the mission but after he left, Judas Maccabeus defeated the Seleucid army of Nicanor. Bacchides returned to Judea, and Judas Maccabeus was killed in battle. At this point Alcimus and the Hellenistic party thought they could restart some reforms in the Temple. The attempt to demolish a wall in the sanctuary raised a lot of opposition. The sudden death of Alcimus appeared as a sign of displeasure by God, the work was interrupted and the high priesthood remained apparently vacant for some years, until the victory of the Maccabean party marked the defeat of the Hellenistic party and opened a new page in the history of the Jewish priesthood.
Alcimus in ancient sources
Alcimus is mentioned in 1 & 2 Maccabees and in Josephus' Jewish Antiquities. All sources are hostile to him. They seem to agree that Alcimus was appointed by Antiochus V and Lysias after Menelaus was removed from office and executed. According to the Books of Maccabees Judas Maccabeus was killed in battle before the death of Alcimus. In Ant XII Josephus puts the death of Alcimus first, and claims that Judas Maccabeus became the new High Priest before dying in battle, a notion that however he himself later contradicts in Ant XX. Josephus also maintains that Menelaus was a member of the House of Zadok and Onias IV fled to Egypt only when Alcimus took the High Priesthood.
- See Alcimus (sources) -- survey of ancient sources
Alcimus in scholarship
- Alcimus (research) -- survey of scholarly works
References
- Alcimus / Uriel Rappaport / In: The Anchor Bible Dictionary (1992 Freedman), dictionary, 1:145
Related categories
External links
Pages in category "Alcimus (subject)"
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