Alcimus

ALCIMUS. - Contemporary and antagonist of Judas Maccabeus (v.). He changed his Hebrew name 'Eljāqim (or Jēhōjāqim) to the Greek 'Αλκίμωσ in order to display his adherence to the policy of Hellenization of Palestine established by the Seleucids. Of priestly stock, but not of the family from which the high priest was chosen, he aspired to the highest office, backed by the Hellenizing Jews and by the arms of the Syrian king. He was invested with the dignity coveted by Lysias, who governed in the name of the young king Antiochus V Eupator (163-62 B.C.). Shortly afterwards (mid-161 B.C.) he succeeded in ingratiating himself with Demetrius I Soter (162-50 B.C.), who had done away with his protectors, and obtained the help of the general Bacchides in order to be forcibly installed in office in Jerusalem, which was in the hands of the Maccabee. A first success of Bacchides was beaten back by Judas, who held out even when the operations were resumed by Nicanor, who died on the field (v. ADARSA). A. obtained a second intervention by Bacchides, who, with a large army, got the better of the valiant Maccabee, who perished gloriously. A. was finally able to lord it over all and even attempted a reform of the cult; but while he was demolishing "the wall of the inner court of the Sanctuary" he was struck by apoplexy (159 B.C.). I Mach. 7, 5-50; 9, 1-57; II Mach., 14, 3-27.