The Maccabean Revolt, also known as the Maccabean Revolution, was a pivotal Jewish rebellion against the Seleucid Empire in the 2nd century BCE. This revolt, which spanned from approximately 167 to 160 BCE, was led by the family known as the Maccabees, who were descendants of the priestly line of Mattathias from the village of Modiin.
The Seleucid Empire had extended its control over Judea after the death of Alexander the Great. The empire, under the rule of Antiochus IV Epiphanes, sought to impose Hellenistic culture and religious practices on the Jewish population, which led to significant cultural and religious tensions:
The spark that ignited the revolt was when Mattathias, a priest, refused to comply with the Seleucid decree to worship Greek gods. His actions, including killing a Hellenized Jew who was about to comply with the edict, marked the beginning of the uprising. After Mattathias's death, his son Judas Maccabeus took over the leadership:
Despite initial successes, Judas Maccabeus was eventually killed in battle, but the revolt continued under his brothers Jonathan Apphus and Simon Thassi. The rebellion led to:
The Maccabean Revolt is remembered for its role in:
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