The Maccabees were a Jewish rebel group that fought against the oppressive rule of the Greek-Syrian Seleucids in the 2nd century BCE. The Maccabean revolt began on the 25th of Kislev, which corresponds with the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. Read on to learn more about who the Maccabees fought during the revolt.
The Maccabees Vs. the Seleucids
The primary suspects in the Maccabean revolt were the Seleucids. The Seleucids were the rulers of the Eastern Mediterranean, stretching from Greece to Persia. As part of their rule, they sought to Hellenize the Jews: to force them to give up their law and adopt foreign customs, especially idol worship.
When the Maccabees rose in revolt, they faced the Seleucids in battle on numerous occasions. One famous example is the battle of Beth-Horon, in which the Maccabees defeated a much larger, more heavily-armed Seleucid force. The Maccabees also faced the Seleucids in Jerusalem, where the larger Seleucid force was ultimately repelled.
The Maccabees and the Hellenizers
The Maccabees also faced stiff resistance from another, more local enemy: the Hellenizers. The Hellenizers were Jews who had adopted the foreign customs and worshipped the Greek gods, and were eager to see the Maccabean revolt put down.
The Hellenizers fought with the Seleucids, and also on their own against the Maccabees. In the battle of Emmaus, the Maccabees faced off with a force of Hellenizers and ultimately emerged victorious. The Hellenizers were a persistent enemy of the Maccabees, though ultimately, their cause was lost.
The Maccabean Legacy and Hanukkah
The Maccabee revolt was ultimately successful, and the Maccabees established a Hasmonean kingdom of their own, which lasted for approximately 100 years. To commemorate their victory, Jews celebrate the holiday of Hanukkah. It is during this festival that Jews celebrate the victory of the Maccabees over the Seleucids and the Hellenizers.
The Maccabees fought against the oppressive rule of the Seleucids and the apostate Jews who had adopted their customs. The Maccabees were ultimately victorious, and commemorated their triumph with the holiday of Hanukkah. Through this victory, the Maccabees forged a legacy of religious freedom that still resonates today.
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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.