In order to enforce his laws, the cruel king of Syria sent officers to
the various parts of his empire. Of the two names by which Antiochus was
known—Epiphanes, the “Illustrious” and Epimanes, the “Madman”—he was
more often called by the latter name. He frequently indulged in wine,
and while under its influence he became a real madman. His highest
ambition was to make one people of all his subjects. In order to
accomplish this, he thought it best,—and here he was indeed Epimanes,
“the mad”,—to compel them to adopt one faith. The Jews however, were not
going to submit to the rash demands of a madman. They now began a
struggle which has never been equalled in the history of the world. In
the few years that followed, many Jews sacrificed their lives for
refusing to worship heathen idols and gods, many heroes shed their blood
on the field of battle to uphold their religion.