Sidetes, though indebted to the Jewish High Priest, Simon, for offers of aid against the same adversary, could not bring himself to pay the price for it which Demetrius had thought reasonable--an independent Palestine appeared to him a danger close to his doors, and one that imperilled the very existence of the Syrian State.

Accordingly, he had no sooner put down Tryphon than he resolved to pick a quarrel with the Jews, and to force them to resume their old position of vassalage to Syria.

His general, Cendebseus, invaded their country, but was defeated near Azotus.

Antiochus had to take the field in person.

During two years, John Hyrcanus, who had succeeded his father, Simon (B.C.