Antiochus had initially bestowed exemptions and privileges upon the Jews.

Enraged by his defeat and expulsion from Egypt by the Romans in 167 BCE, he sends a financial official to exact taxes from the cities of Judaea.

Upon the request of Menelaus' party, Antiochus' official attacks the city of Jerusalem by guile and largely destroys it, restoring Menelaus and executing many Jews.

Jason is forced to flee to Asia Minor.

He then builds a fortified position on the citadel, called by the Greeks the Akra.

This becomes the symbol of Judaea's enslavement, though in itself the presence of a royal garrison in a Hellenistic city is usual.

The city forfeits its privileges and is permanently garrisoned by Syrian soldiers.

The Greeks and those friendly toward them are united into the community of Antiochians; the worship of Yahweh and all of the Jewish rites, including circumcision and the observance of the Sabbath, are forbidden on pain of death.

Finally, in the holiest part of the Temple precincts, an altar to Zeus Olympios is erected on the twenty-fifth day of the Hebrew month Kislev (December) in 167, and sacrifices are to be made at the feet of an idol in the image of the King.