Aquifer Open Bible Dictionary (2026) · CC BY-SA 4.0 EN
Callisthenes
Callisthenes was a Syrian in the army of General Nicanor. He set fire to the temple gates during the persecution of the Jews by Antiochus Epiphanes (2 Maccabees 8:33). In 165 BC, Nicanor’s army was defeated. After the battle, the Jews punished Callisthenes and others who had burned the temple gates. They were burned to death.