cleansed, and the daily burnt offering and other religious ceremonies resumed. The event is still commemorated by Jews each December as Hanukkah, the “Feast of Lights.” The Hasmonean (Maccabean) Period (164–63 B.C.) During the Maccabean period (164–63 B.C.) all rulers were from the same family of Jewish priests (also called the “Hasmonean” family after the Hebrew name of Simon, an early Maccabean leader). Nine rulers followed Judas Maccabaeus to the throne, including two of his brothers. From the