Maccabean rule Maccabees

following re-dedication of temple, supporters of maccabees divided on question of whether continue fighting or not. when revolt began under leadership of mattathias, seen war religious freedom end oppression of seleucids. however, maccabees realized how successful had been, many wanted continue revolt , conquer other lands jewish populations or convert peoples. policy exacerbated divide between pharisees , sadducees under later hasmonean monarchs such alexander jannaeus. sought continuation of war led judah maccabee.

on death in battle in 160 bce, judah succeeded army commander younger brother, jonathan, high priest. jonathan made treaties various foreign states, causing further dissent between merely desired religious freedom , sought greater power.

in 142 bce, jonathan assassinated diodotus tryphon, pretender seleucid throne, , succeeded simon maccabee, last remaining son of mattathias. simon gave support demetrius ii nicator, seleucid king, , in return demetrius exempted maccabees tribute. simon conquered port of joppa, gentile population forcibly removed , , fortress of gezer. expelled garrison acra in jerusalem. in 140 bce, recognised assembly of priests, leaders , elders high priest, military commander , ruler of israel. decree became basis of hasmonean kingdom. shortly after, roman senate renewed alliance hasmonean kingdom , commanded allies in eastern mediterranean also. although maccabees won autonomy, region remained province of seleucid empire , simon required provide troops antiochus vii sidetes, brother of demetrius ii. when simon refused give territory had conquered, antiochus took them force.

simon murdered in 134 bce son-in-law ptolemy, , succeeded high priest , king son john hyrcanus i. antiochus conquered entire district of judea, refrained attacking temple or interfering jewish observances. judea freed seleucid rule on death of antiochus in 129 bce.

independent hasmonean rule lasted until 63 bce, when roman general pompeus intervened in hasmonean civil war, making client kingdom of rome. hasmonean dynasty ended in 37 bce when idumean herod great became king of israel, designated king of jews roman senate, transforming hasmonean kingdom herodian kingdom – client kingdom of rome.