Apollonius is a name that appears in various historical and biblical contexts, primarily associated with the Hellenistic period and the Maccabean Revolt. While not directly mentioned in the canonical books of the Bible, Apollonius is a significant figure in the historical backdrop of the intertestamental period, particularly in the books of the Maccabees, which are part of the Apocrypha.

Historical Context

Apollonius was a prominent figure during the time of the Seleucid Empire, which controlled a vast region including Judea. The Seleucid rulers, particularly Antiochus IV Epiphanes, sought to impose Hellenistic culture and religion upon the Jewish people, leading to significant conflict and resistance.

Role in the Maccabean Revolt

Apollonius is most notably recognized as a general under Antiochus IV. He played a crucial role in the early stages of the Maccabean Revolt, a Jewish uprising against the Seleucid Empire's attempts to suppress Jewish religious practices and enforce Hellenistic customs. The revolt is detailed in the books of 1 and 2 Maccabees, which, while not part of the Protestant canon, provide valuable historical insight into this tumultuous period.

According to 1 Maccabees 3:10-12, Apollonius led a force against Judas Maccabeus, the leader of the Jewish resistance. The text describes how Judas and his followers, though vastly outnumbered, defeated Apollonius's army, and Judas took Apollonius's sword as a symbol of victory and divine favor. This victory was one of the early successes that galvanized the Jewish resistance and demonstrated the providential support they believed they had from God.

Cultural and Religious Impact

The actions of Apollonius and the subsequent Jewish victories against his forces are emblematic of the broader struggle between Hellenistic and Jewish cultures during this era. The Maccabean Revolt is celebrated in the Jewish festival of Hanukkah, which commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem and the miracle of the oil that burned for eight days.

Apollonius in Later Traditions

While Apollonius himself does not appear in the New Testament, the period of Hellenistic influence and the Maccabean Revolt set the stage for the socio-political environment of Judea during the time of Jesus. The resistance against Hellenistic imposition and the desire for religious purity and autonomy continued to influence Jewish thought and expectations of a Messiah who would deliver them from foreign oppression.

Conclusion

Apollonius serves as a historical figure representing the challenges faced by the Jewish people during the Hellenistic period. His defeat by Judas Maccabeus is a testament to the resilience and faith of the Jewish people in the face of cultural and religious adversity. The events surrounding Apollonius and the Maccabean Revolt provide a backdrop for understanding the complex interplay of politics, religion, and identity in the intertestamental period.Apollonius

destroying

APOLLONIUS

ap-o-lo'-ni-us (Apollonios): A common name among the Syro-Macedonians. Prideaux (Connexion) interrupts his narrative of the year 148 B.C. to give an account of the different persons who bore this name

(1) Son of Thrasaeus (2 Maccabees 3:5) who was governor of Coele-Syria (Palestine and Phoenicia) under Seleucus Philopator, when Heliodorus came to Jerusalem to rob the temple, and afterward, by his authority in that province, supported Simon the governor of the temple at Jerusalem against Onias the high priest. He was also chief minister of state to King Seleucus. But on the accession of Antiochus Epiphanes, Apollonius, in some way becoming obnoxious to the new king, left Syria and retired to Miletus.

(2) A son of (1) who, while his father resided at Miletus, was brought up at Rome along with Demetrius, son of Seleucus Philopator, and at that time held as a hostage by the Romans. This Apollonius lived in great intimacy with Demetrius, who, on recovering the crown of Syria, made him governor of Coele-Syria and Phoenicia, the same government which his father held under Seleucus Philopator. He seems to have been continued in the same government by Alexander (1 Maccabees 10:69) but he revolted from him to embrace the interest of Demetrius.

(3) Son of Menestheus, and favorite and chief minister of Antiochus Epiphanes (2 Maccabees 4:21). He went as ambassador from Antiochus, first to Rome (Livy xlii.6) and afterward to Ptolemy Philometor, king of Egypt (2 Maccabees 4:21). This is generally held to be the same who is said to have been over the tribute (1 Maccabees 1:29; 2 Maccabees 5:24) and who, on the return of Antiochus from his last expedition into Egypt, was sent with a detachment of 22,000 men to destroy Jerusalem. He attacked the Jews while keeping the Sabbath day holy and slew great multitudes of them (2 Maccabees 5:24-27).

(4) Governor of Samaria in the time of Antiochus Epiphanes. He was slain in battle by Judas Maccabeus (1 Maccabees 3:10, 11; Ant, XII, vii, 10). (5) Son of Gennaeus (2 Maccabees 12:2); as governor of a toparchy in Palestine under Antiochus Eupator he proved a bitter enemy of the Jews.

J. Hutchison

Apollonius.
... Fragments from His Five Books of Commentaries on the Acts of the Church. Apollonius.
[ad211.] He was a most eloquent man, according to St. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the decretals/apollonius.htm

To Apollonius.
... Letters of the Blessed Theodoret, LXXIII. To Apollonius. ... [1719]. Footnotes: [1718]
cf. Ep. 103. Apollonius was Comes Sacrarum Largitio. num in 436. ...
/.../theodoret/the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/lxxiii to apollonius.htm

Apollonius
... Chapter XL. Apollonius. Apollonius, [2448] an exceedingly talented man,
wrote against Montanus, Prisca and Maximilla a notable and ...
/.../jerome and gennadius lives of illustrious men /chapter xl apollonius.htm

Ciii. To the Count Apollonius.
... Letters of the Blessed Theodoret, CIII. To the Count Apollonius. ... Footnotes: [1827]
Cf. Letter LXXIII. Apollonius was "comes sacrarum largitionum" in 436. ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/ciii to the count apollonius.htm

Apollonius
... Chapter XLII. Apollonius. Apollonius, [2451] a Roman senator under the emperor
Commodus, having been denounced by a slave as a Christian ...
/.../jerome and gennadius lives of illustrious men /chapter xlii apollonius.htm

The Manner in which Apollonius Refuted the Phrygians, and the ...
... Book V. Chapter XVIII."The Manner in which Apollonius refuted the Phrygians, and
the Persons whom he Mentions. ... These are the matters recorded by Apollonius. ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xviii the manner in which.htm

How Judas Overthrew the Forces of Apollonius and Seron and Killed ...
... CHAPTER 7. How Judas Overthrew The Forces Of Apollonius And Seron And Killed The
Generals Of Their Armies Themselves; And How When, A Little While Afterwards ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 7 how judas overthrew.htm

Of the Holy Men who Flourished About this Time in Egypt, Namely ...
... in Egypt, namely, Antony, the Two Macariuses, Heraclius, Cronius, Paphnutius,
Putubastus, Arsisius, Serapion, Piturion, Pachomius, Apollonius, Anuph, Hilarion ...
/.../sozomen/the ecclesiastical history of sozomenus/chapter xiv of the holy men.htm

How Appolonius Suffered Martyrdom at Rome.
... And he brought to the judgment seat Apollonius, [1673] of the city of Rome, a man
renowned among the faithful for learning and philosophy, having stirred up ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xxi how appolonius suffered martyrdom.htm

Of the Truth of the Christian Doctrine, and the Vanity of Its ...
... The same man, when he endeavoured to overthrow his wonderful deeds, and did not
however deny them, wished to show that Apollonius [941] performed equal or even ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap iii of the truth of.htm

Apollonius
...APOLLONIUS. ... But on the accession of Antiochus Epiphanes, Apollonius, in some way
becoming obnoxious to the new king, left Syria and retired to Miletus. ...
/a/apollonius.htm - 8k

Menestheus
... me-nes'-thus, me-nes'-the-us (Menestheus Codex Alexandrinus, Menestheseos): The
father of Apollonius, a general of Epiphanes (2 Maccabees 4:21 and in 2 ...
/m/menestheus.htm - 6k

Gennaeus
... ge-ne'-us, ge-ne'-us (Gennaios): Father of Apollonius, one of the Syrian generals
who troubled the Jews while Lysias was governor for Antiochus Eupator (2 ...
/g/gennaeus.htm - 6k

Genneus
... ge-ne'-us, ge-ne'-us (Gennaios): Father of Apollonius, one of the Syrian generals
who troubled the Jews while Lysias was governor for Antiochus Eupator (2 ...
/g/genneus.htm - 6k

Thrasaeus
... Codex Venetus Tharsiou; Codex Venetus(a) Tharseou; Conjecture of Dr. Hort Tharsea;
the King James Version, Thraseas): The father of APOLLONIUS (which see) (2 ...
/t/thrasaeus.htm - 6k

Asmoneans
... Thus Apollonius (Josephus tells us, the king himself, BJ, V, ix, 4) in 168 BC appeared
before Jerusalem, devastated the city, defiled the temple by the ...
/a/asmoneans.htm - 27k

Heliodorus
... due to the Romans as one of the results of the victory of Scipio over Antiochus
the Great at Magnesia (190 BC), Seleucus learned from Apollonius, governor of ...
/h/heliodorus.htm - 8k

Onias
... Being unable to get the better of Onias and thirsting for revenge, Simon went to
Apollonius, governor of Coele-Syria and Phoenicia, and informed him of the ...
/o/onias.htm - 10k

Joppa (14 Occurrences)
... by night, and burned the boats, and put to the sword those that had fled thither"
(2 Maccabees 12:3;). Jonathan took the city, in which Apollonius had placed a ...
/j/joppa.htm - 17k

Jabneh (1 Occurrence)
... generals Joseph and Azarias, contrary to Judas' orders, who were repulsed with loss
(1 Maccabees 5:56-60; Josephus, Ant, XII, viii, 6). Apollonius occupied it ...
/j/jabneh.htm - 10k

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