9. As soon as I have regained control of my kingdom, I will confer upon you, your nation, and the Temple such great honours that the glory of your country will be evident to the whole world.”
10. In the year 174 Antiochus invaded the land of his ancestors. Most of the soldiers came over to his side, so that there were very few left with Trypho.
11. Trypho, pursued by Antiochus, fled to the coastal city of Dor,
12. realizing that he was in a desperate situation, now that all his troops had deserted him.
13. Then Antiochus laid siege to Dor with 120,000 well-trained soldiers and 8,000 cavalry.
14. With his ships joining the attack, he completely surrounded the town and brought such pressure on it that no one was able to enter or leave.
15. Meanwhile, Numenius and those with him arrived in Jerusalem from Rome with the following letter addressed to various kings and countries:
16. “From Lucius, consul of the Romans, to King Ptolemy, greetings.
17. A delegation from our friends and allies the Jews has come to us to renew the earlier treaty of friendship and alliance. They were sent by the High Priest Simon and the Jewish people,
18. and they have brought as a gift a gold shield weighing 500 kilogrammes.
19. So we have decided to write to various kings and countries urging them not to harm the Jews, their towns, or their country in any way. They must not make war against the Jews or give support to those who attack them.
20. We have decided to accept the shield and grant them protection.
21. Therefore if any traitors escape from Judea and seek refuge in your land, hand them over to Simon the High Priest, so that he may punish them according to Jewish law.”
22. Lucius wrote the same letter to King Demetrius, to Attalus, Ariarathes, and Arsaces,
23. and to all the following countries: Sampsames, Sparta, Delos, Myndos, Sicyon, Caria, Samos, Pamphylia, Lycia, Halicarnassus, Rhodes, Phaselis, Cos, Side, Aradus, Gortyna, Cnidus, Cyprus, and Cyrene.
24. A copy of the letter was also sent to Simon the High Priest.