Eupolemus the Chronographer and 141 BCE

Eupolemus is mentioned in three separate texts: Josephus, Contra Apion; Clement, Stromateis; and Eusebius, Preparation for the Gospels. However, the references and texts associated with Eupolemus in Eusebius and two references to Eupolemus in Clement, found no earlier than the 2nd cent CE, may be assigned to a second, or, Pseudo-Eupolemus. The earlier Jewish Hellenistic writer is referred to in Josephus but he provides no details. The only information about the original Eupolemus is found in Clement. It is clear that the original Eupolemus uses the independence of Jerusalem from Greek troops in 141 BCE as the base year for his chronology. In addition, it is probable he used the Hebrew text of Kings and not the LXX as his source. Eupolemus should not be used to support early dates for the LXX.