LISIMACO. — Menelaus (v.). When the latter, together with Sostratus, was summoned by Antiochus Epiphanes (v.) to hand over to him the sums promised, “he was obliged to surrender the high priesthood to his brother L.” (II Macc. 4:29): this must have been an interim transfer, not a true succession, as the Vulgate supposes.
In agreement with his brother, he continued the plundering of the Temple, provoking the revolt of the people. He attempted to suppress it by arming 3,000 men under the command of Auranus (the Vulgate writes Tyrannus), but was defeated and finally killed with stones and clubs near the treasury chamber of the temple of Jerusalem (II Macc. 4:32–42).
BIBL.: G. Ricciotti, Storia d'Israele, II, Torino 1934, nos. 232–235. Pietro De Ambroggi