After Alexander died, Judea was ruled by a series of successors, culminating in Antiochus Epiphanes. Antiochus did far more than refuse religious freedom to the Jews. Around 167 B.C., he overthrew the rightful line of the priesthood and desecrated the temple, defiling it with unclean animals and a pagan altar (see Mark 13:14).
Noong humigit kumulang 167 B.C., pinatigil niya ang paglilingkod ng mga saserdote at niyurakan ang kasagraduhan ng templo sa pamamagitan ng paghahandog ng mga hindi malinis na hayop gaya ng baboy sa altar (Markos 13:14). Ito ay katulad ng panggagahasang panrelihiyon.