At the beginning of the second century B.C.E., Antiochus III of the Grecian Seleucid dynasty in Syria wrested Israel from the control of the Greek Ptolemies of Egypt.
Antiochos III, kes kuulus Süürias valitsevasse kreeka Seleukiidide dünastiasse, haaras 2. sajandi algul e.m.a. Egiptuses valitsevate kreeka Ptolemaioste kontrolli alt endale Iisraeli.