Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

GAULS

(Gk. Galátai; Lat. Galli)

A people, originally Celts, who invaded both central and western Europe (Cisalpine Gaul) and Greece and Asia Minor (Galatians). If 1 Macc. 8:2 is correct and the Romans both defeated and imposed tribute on them, then the reference would be to Cisalpine Gaul. Rome had victories over these Gauls in 222 b.c.e. and in the 180s. The list of Roman victories in 1 Macc. 8 also seems to begin in the west and move east. If the author is merely assuming normal practice in his day, then it may refer to the victory of Gnaeus Manlius Vulso over the Galatians in 189, but no tribute was imposed at this time.

The battle in which Jewish troops defeated Celtic warriors in Babylonia (2 Macc. 8:20) must have involved Galatians, who were used as mercenaries by various kingdoms. This may have been the battle between Seleucus II and Antiochus Hierax, who used Galatian mercenaries as a major part of his army. Proposals for the time of Antiochus I or Antiochus III seem less certain.

Bibliography. J. A. Goldstein, I Maccabees. AB 41 (Garden City, 1976); II Maccabees. AB 41A (Garden City, 1983).

Russell Nelson

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

GAULS

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)