A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

13. A friend of Demetrius I. king of Syria, who had been detained, together with that monarch, as a hostage at Rome, and was one of the companions of his flight. (Plb. 31.22; J. AJ 12.10.4.) When Demetrius was established on the throne of Syria, he despatched Nicanor, whom he had promoted to the dignity of elephantarch, or master of the elephants, with a large army into Judaea to reduce the Jews, who were still in arms under Judas Maccabaeus. Nicanor atfirst attempted to make himself master of the person of the Jewish leader by treachery, under pretence of a peaceful negotiation, but, having failed in this, he gave him battle at Capharsalem, and was defeated with heavy loss. A second action, near Bethoron, proved still more disastrous: Nicanor himself fell on the field, and his whole army was cut to pieces. (J. AJ 12.10. §§ 4, 5; ] Mace. vii., 2 Macc. xiv. xv.)

[E.H.B]