[1] Jason's tenure came during a turbulent period, and ancient sources such as the book of 2 Maccabees are hostile to him as a moderate Hellenizer, even if he was not as extreme as his successor.
Some believe that Antiochus IV favored Hellenization, or standardizing Greek culture across the widespread Seleucid lands more firmly, and Jason was more of a Hellenist than his brother.
Others cite corruption, saying that Jason offered a higher tribute to Antiochus than Onias III had been paying to the previous king.
During his reign, Jason was given permission to start a Greek-style polis (or city) and a gymnasium at or near Jerusalem, called Antioch or Antiochia.
[5] Jason's time as High Priest was brought to an abrupt end in 171 BCE when he sent Menelaus, the brother of Simon the Benjamite, to deliver money to Antiochus IV at the Seleucid capital Antioch.
According to the book of 2 Maccabees, Jason heard a rumor that Antiochus IV had perished in Egypt, and launched an attempted coup against Menelaus in Jerusalem to reclaim his office as High Priest.
[9][10] The disruption from the attack on Jerusalem, and the anti-Jewish decrees issued by Antiochus IV following the event, would eventually lead to the Maccabean Revolt.
By seeking new agreements and putting new people in power, Jason weakened the older structures of government and tradition, an act that would come back to hurt his own standing after he himself was betrayed and replaced.