Once upon a time, more than 2000 years ago, in the Empire of Seleucid, there ruled a cruel Emperor. His name was Antiochus Epiphanes.

There were many different people and different religions in the lands which he ruled. In the the land of Judea lived the Jews, who practiced Judaism. Antiocus decreed that the Jews should stop practicing their religion and worship Zeus instead.

He forbade them to observe the Sabbath, to study their holy books and to circumcise their boys, as was their custom. He commanded that they sacrifice to Zeus animals that they considered unclean.