Having been stymied in Egypt and compelled to withdraw, Antiochus turns his attention to Judea.
Antiochus asserts strict control over Judea, plunders Jerusalem and its Temple, suppresses Jewish religious cultural and religious observances, and imposes Hellenistic practices.
On December 25th 169 BCE he profanes the Temple. Among other acts, he orders a statue of Zeus erected inside, provoking the Maccabees (the Hasmoneans) into rebellion.