ELIODORUS (Ἠλιόδαρος, “gift of the Sun”). — First minister of Seleucus IV, king of Syria (187–175 B.C.). Son of Aeschylus and a member of a noble Antiochene family,
he was educated together with Seleucus, who held him in particular honor. In two inscriptions found at Delos, E. is called “kinsman of the king” and “superintendent of royal affairs” (cf. II Mach. 3:7). This explains the reception accorded him in Jerusalem when, while pretending to be visiting Syria and Phoenicia, he was sent by the king to requisition the treasures deposited in the Temple.
E. revealed his mission to the pious Onias III, the high priest, and, despite the latter’s calm but firm protests and the general mourning of the priests and citizens, entered the Temple to carry it out. But the Lord intervened: a horse mounted by a splendid rider struck him on the chest with its forehooves, while two other angels scourged him, so that he fell to the ground. Carried away by his men, unconscious, he was saved through the intercession of Onias; on returning to Antioch, he reported his failure to the king, ironically commenting on Seleucus’s insistence on making another attempt (II Mach. 3:7–40). E. killed Seleucus and his young son and heir in a futile attempt to seize the throne, which passed to Antiochus IV (cf. Appian, Syria, 45).
The striking scene of E. being driven from the Temple inspired several works of art; Raphael’s fresco in the Vatican Stanze is famous. — Vedi tav. XIX.