GORGIAS. – General of the court of Antiochus IV Epiphanes (1 Macc. 3:38). In the third campaign against Judas (166 BC), Ptolemy had overall command; Gorgias, together with the commander-in-chief Nicanore, was at the head of the army: 40,000 infantry and 7,000 cavalry.
They encamped at Emmaus ('Amwäs): since an approach from the north was impossible, the Syrian generals decided to capture Jerusalem by attacking directly from the west. Gorgias attempted a night attack with 5,000 infantry and 1,000 cavalry against Judas’ 6,000 warriors. Judas avoided the ambush, then attacked and captured the main Syrian camp, defeating Nicanore. Gorgias, returning to the field, did not dare give battle and withdrew to Jamnia, remaining in command of that district (1 Macc. 3:38–4:25). Gorgias defeated Joseph son of Azariah in their reckless attack on Jamnia (1 Macc. 5:55–62); but shortly afterward he was routed by Judas and nearly taken prisoner (2 Macc. 12:32–37).