Scarcely had Antiochus begun to rule, when from all parts of his empire
came the leading men to pay homage to him. Among them came a younger
brother of the High Priest Onias, Joshua, who called himself by the
Greek name Jason. This Jason was possessed of good manners and polished
address. At the court of Antiochus, he was welcomed; and, by offering
the King a very large bribe, prevailed upon him to depose his brother
Onias, and appoint him in his place. Not only was Onias removed from the
High Priesthood, but he was also forced to take up his residence at
Antioch, where he would not interfere with the new High Priest. Jason
next attempted to gradually make Greeks of the Jews. Accordingly, he
built a place in Jerusalem for such sports and exercises as were
practiced by the Greeks, and established a school in which Jewish youths
could be brought up after the manner of the Greeks.
Jason remained High Priest for only three years. Menelaus, an ambitious
and dishonest young man, having been sent to Antioch by Jason with
tribute, by offering to pay annually a sum amounting to $300,000 more
than Jason, succeeded in having himself appointed in his place. This
Menelaus was even more corrupt than Jason, and later proved himself
guilty of the most horrible crimes.