Maccabees
The Maccabees were a prominent Jewish family who played a crucial role in the historical struggle for Jewish independence in the second century BCE. The name "Maccabee," meaning "hammer," is most commonly associated with Judas Maccabee, who led a successful revolt against the Seleucid ruler Antiochus IV Epiphanes. This revolt, initiated by Judas's father, Mattathias, arose in response to the suppression of Jewish religious practices and the conversion of the Jerusalem temple for pagan worship. Judas's leadership marked a pivotal moment in Jewish history, as he united the Jewish rebels and fought to recapture Jerusalem, ultimately restoring traditional worship—a victory commemorated during the festival of Hanukkah.
Following Judas's death in 160 BCE, his brother Jonathan took on the role of high priest, despite not being the rightful hereditary candidate, and continued to strengthen the Judaean state. Simon, another brother, further established Judea as an independent territory in 142 BCE. The Maccabean dynasty continued to influence the region until the eventual Roman conquest in the first century BCE. The legacy of the Maccabees is significant, as they played a vital role in preserving Jewish culture and religion during a time when these were under threat.
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Maccabees
Related civilization: Israel.
Date: c. 168-c. 100 b.c.e.
Locale: Palestine
Maccabees
The name Maccabee (MAC-ah-bee), Hebrew for “hammer,” was bestowed upon Judas, the third son of a Jewish Hasmonaean family, and subsequently upon his father Mattathias and four brothers John, Simon, Eleazar, and Jonathan. Judas successfully united Jewish rebels in a revolt begun by Mattathias in 168 b.c.e. against Antiochus IV Epiphanes, the Hellenistic Seleucid ruler who had abolished Jewish religious practice and converted the temple in Jerusalem for pagan worship. After being driven to the hills, Judas led Jewish armies against Antiochus until they had recaptured Jerusalem and reinstated traditional worship in the temple, the event celebrated during Hanukkah.
Judas assumed the role of religious, political, and military leader and made efforts to recapture Jewish territory until his death in 160 b.c.e. His brother Jonathan was subsequently named high priest, although he was not the correct hereditary candidate, and continued solidification of the Judaean state. Simon ascended in 142 b.c.e. and established Judaea as an independent territory. After Simon’s assassination in 134 b.c.e., his son John Hyrcanus came to power and ruled until 104 b.c.e. Although Judaea was conquered by Rome later in the first century b.c.e., the Maccabees guaranteed the survival of Jewish culture and religion, which had faced extinction before the revolt.
Bibliography
Bickerman, Elias. The Maccabees: An Account of Their History from the Beginnings to the Fall of the House of the Hasmoneans. New York: Shocken Books, 1947.
Cohen, Shaye. From the Maccabees to the Mishnah. Philadelphia: Westminster John Knox Press, 1995.