Maccabean Revolt (167–160 bc). Jewish uprising against the Seleucid Empire; established the Hasmonean Dynasty.

According to 1 Maccabees, the revolt occurred in response to a decree of Antiochus IV Epiphanes compelling Jews to abandon their religious traditions and adopt pagan forms of worship (1 Macc 1:41–50). In zealous resistance to the king’s order, Mattathias, a Jewish priest in Modein, killed a royal officer and a Jew who was offering a pagan sacrifice (1 Macc 2:23–25). Mattathias’ actions sparked a widespread rebellion which, after his death, was led by his son Judas (who was nicknamed Maccabeus, meaning “the Hammer”).

Under Judas, the rebels cleansed and rededicated the Jerusalem temple with an eight-day celebration (now called Hanukkah; 1 Macc 4:36–59). After Judas was killed in battle in 160 bc, the revolt continued for a short time under the leadership of his brother Jonathan, who (with help from a third brother, Simon) drove out the Seleucid governor Bacchides and ended the war (1 Macc 9:62–73). Jonathan eventually was appointed high priest, thus beginning the Hasmonean line of Judaean rulers (1 Macc 10:15–20).

Although the Seleucids maintained political control over Judaea, the new king, Demetrius, exempted the Jews from taxation, allowed them to practice their religion, and even provided funds to repair the temple (1 Macc 10:29–45).