Athenobius
ATHENOBIUS ăth’ ə nō’ bĭ əs (̓Αθηνόβιος). A “friend” of Antiochus VII Sidetes, king of Syria, who was sent to Jerusalem by the king to remonstrate with Simon Maccabeus for the occupation of Joppa and Gazara and the citadel of Jerusalem. He demanded that all the places taken should be given up, or that he pay 1,000 talents in silver. Simon refused to pay more than 100 talents, and Athenobius was obliged to return to Antiochus without achieveing his purpose (1 Macc 15:28-36).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (1915)
[Athenobios]: A "friend" of Antiochus VII (Sidetes), who was sent to Jerusalem by the king to protest against the occupation of Joppa and Gazara, and the citadel Jerusalem. A demand was made on Simon Maccabeus to give up all the places he had taken or pay 1,000 talents in silver. Simon declined to pay more than 100 talents, and Athenobius returned to Antiochus from his fruitless mission (1 Macc 15:28-36).