“For The Ships of Chittim [The Roman Republic] shall come against Him [Antiochus IV (175 B.C.E. – 164 B.C.E.)];

Therefore He [Antiochus IV (175 B.C.E. – 164 B.C.E.)] shall be grieved,

And return.“

In 168 B.C.E. Antiochus IV (175 B.C.E. – 164 B.C.E.) led a third attack against Egypt hoping to conquer Alexandria, the capital city and thus control all of Egypt.

He also sent a fleet to capture Cyrus.

Three events, however, prevented Antiochus IV from gaining control over all Egypt:

• Ptolemy VI had broken his treaty with Antiochus IV and reunited with his brother, Ptolemy VIII, and his sister, Cleopatra II, and had returned to Alexandria
• The Roman Republic had by now defeated Perseus, the last king of Macedon, in The Third Madeconian War (171 B.C.E. – 16I B.C.E.)
• Ptolemy VI and his brother and sister appealed to The Roman Republic for help against Antiochus IV

The Roman Republic sent a Roman embassy led by Gaius Popillius Laenas to force Antiochus to return to his own lands and renounce his claims on Egypt.

As the painting illustrates, Antiochus IV extends his hand to the Roman Senator. (They had been friends when Antiochus had been a hostage in Rome.) Gaius Popillius Laenas does not extend his hand in friendship until Antiochus IV agrees to leave Egypt straightway. Gaius Popillius had drawn a circle around the Seleucid monarch and informed Antiochus IV that if he did not consent to depart before he moved out of the circle, The Roman Senate would consider itself to be at war with the Seleucid Empire. Reluctantly, Antiochus IV agreed. Egypt was safe. Gaius Popillius Laenas then extended his hand to his old friend.

Another famous incident in Ancient History occurred in the time of JESUS of Nazareth, when a group of Scribes and Pharisees were about to execute a woman caught in the act of adultery. They brought only the woman – not the man – unto JESUS of Nazareth (visiting Jerusalem for The Feast of Tabernacles).

They asked JESUS, “Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in The Law (Leviticus 20:10 & Deuteronomy 22:22) commanded us, that such should be stoned. What sayest Thou?”

Like the dignified courteous Roman Senator, JESUS of NAZARETH, stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though HE heard them not.

So, when they continued asking HIM, HE lifted up HIMSELF, and said unto Them, ” He that is without sin among you, let Him first cast a stone at Her.”

And again, HE stooped down, and wrote on the ground.

And They which heard It, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last.

And JESUS was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.

When JESUS had lifted up HIMSELF, and saw none but the woman, HE said unto Her, “Woman, where are those thine accusers? Hath no man condemned Thee?”

She said. “No man, LORD.”

And JESUS said unto her, “Neither do I condemn Thee: Go, and sin no more.” (John 8:1-11)

Next Week: Daniel 11:30b