Lasthenes
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible [1]
LASTHENES . An officer of high rank, ‘kinsman’ ( 1Ma 11:31 ) and ‘father’ ( 1Ma 11:32 ) of Demetrius ii. He raised a body of Cretan mercenaries, and enabled Demetrius to land in Cilicia, and wrest the throne of Syria from Alexander Balas (Jos. [Note: Josephus.] Ant . XIII. iv. 3; cf. 1Ma 10:67 ). When Demetrius was endeavouring to make terms with Jonathan the Maccabæan, he wrote to Lasthenes in favour of the Jews, and forwarded a copy of his letter to the Jewish prince ( 1Ma 11:29-37 ).
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature [2]
( Λασθένης ; comp. Λά - Μαχος ), an officer who stood high in the favor of Demetrius II Nicator. He is described as "cousin" ( Συγγενής , 1 Maccabees 11:31) and "father" ( 1 Maccabees 11:32; Josephus, Ant. 13:3, 9) of the king. Both words may be taken as titles of high nobility (compare Grimm on 1 Maccabees 10:89; Diod. 17:59; Gesenius, Thesaur. s.v. אָב , § 4). It appears from Josephus (Ant. 13:4, 3) that he was a Cretan, to whom Demetrils was indebted for a large body of mercenaries (compare 1 Maccabees 10:67), when he asserted his claim to the Syrian throne against Alexander Balas, B.C. 148 or 147. It appears that Lasthenes himself accompanied the young prince; and when Demetrius was established on the throne, he appointed Lasthenes his chief minister, with unlimited power. His arbitrary government, added to his persuading Demetrius to disband the regular troops and only employ Cretans, is supposed to have alienated the subjects from the king, and caused great dissatisfaction to the soldiers. This conduct led to the downfall of Demetrius, for it enabled Tryphon to set up Antiochus, the young son of Alexander Balas (Diodotus, Relig. lib. 33:4, ed. Didot, 2:522). What became of Lasthenes is not known. (See Demetrius).
He must not be identified with the Cnidian instructor of the sons of Demetrius I Soter (Justin, 35:2; comp. Livy, Epit. 52). There is a later Lasthenes, also a Cretan, who took a prominent part against the Romans in B.C. 70-68 (Smith, Dict. of Biogr. s.v. Lastheles, No. 3).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia [3]
las´the - nēz ( Λασθένης , Lasthénēs ): A highly placed official under King Demetrius II, Nicator. He is called the king's "kinsman" (the King James Version "cousin") and "father" ( 1 Maccabees 11:31,32; Josephus, Ant ., Xiii , iv, 9), but these are to be taken as court titles rather than as denoting blood-relationship. According to Josephus ( Ant. , Xiii , iv, 3) he was a native of Crete, and raised an army for the king when he made his first descent upon the coast, and rendered him ultimately successful in wresting the throne of Syria from Alexander Balas ( 1 Maccabees 10:67; Ant ., Xiii , iv, 3). The letter addressed to Lasthenes indicates that he was probably prime minister or grand vizier of the kingdom.
