Instead of all the idols, Antiochus will honour the god of fortresses. The god that Antiochus later honours is Zeus. He is the god of the fortresses, the god of the Capitol. Antiochus is thinking that this god will make sure that he can conquer other fortresses and that he will keep his own.
In all of this, what is the unique thing in the life of Antiochus? We read this at the end of Daniel 11:37: for he shall magnify himself above all (gods).
In archaeological excavations, coins have been found with the headpiece of Antiochus on one side and Zeus on the other. Surrounding Antiochus’s head is the title: Epiphanes. This is how Antiochus allowed himself to be called. Epiphanes
means exalted. It means that a god has appeared. Antiochus regarded himself as the Zeus Capitolus, the god who became man. He had elevated himself to the status of a god. When the image of Zeus is worshipped in the temple, Antiochus thinks he is being worshipped as a god.
38 He shall honor the god of fortresses instead of these. A god whom his fathers did not know he shall honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and costly gifts.