Difference between revisions of "Category:Judas Maccabeus (subject)"

Judea under Judas Maccabeus

• BACK TO THE PEOPLE--INDEX

Judas Maccabeus (2nd century BCE) was a member of the Hasmonean dynasty. From 167 to his death in battle in 160 BCE, he led the Maccabean revolt against the Seleucids.

Overview

Judas was the third son of Mattathias, a priest from Modin who started the rebellion against the high priest Menelaus and the Selecid king Antiochus IV Epiphanes. Judas and his brothers Jonathan and Simon, had immediately a prominent fighting role.

After Mattathias' death in 166 BCE, Judah assumed leadership of the revolt, receiving the surname Maccabeus. He adapted a guerrilla strategy, which proved to be very effective and led his followers to a strings of victories against the Seleucid army.

After rededicating the desecrated Temple in Jerusalem in 164 BCE, Judah conducted a series of attacks against the nearby cities. The counter-attack of the Seleucids led to truce and compromise.

The appointment of Alcimus as the new High Priest forced Judas again to rebellion. In 161 BCE Judas obtained a dramatic victory against the Seleucid general Nicanor and tried to have the support of the Romans. However, the Seleucids were quick to send another army commanded by Bacchides which defeated and killed Judas in the Battle of Elasa in 160 BCE.

Judas was succeeded by his brother Jonathan Maccabeus as leader of the rebellion.

In Depth

• Judas Maccabeus (sources)

• Judas Maccabeus (arts)

Related categories

• Maccabees

References

• / [[]] / In: The Anchor Bible Dictionary (1992 Freedman), dictionary,

• Judas Maccabaeus / Uriel Rappaport / In: The Eerdmans Dictionary of Early Judaism (2010 Collins / Harlow), dictionary, 848-849

External links

• Wikipedia

Pictures from the web

• Map of Judea under Judas Maccabeus <Wikipedia>