HASMONEANS.

Mattathias and Judas (§ 1).

Jonathan and Simon (§ 2).

John Hyrcanus, Aristobulus I. (§ 3).

Alexander Jannmus, Hyrcanus II., Aristobulus II. (§ 4).

The Downfall of the Family (§ 5).

Hasmoneans (Hebr. .Uashmonim; Aram. Zlashmonay) is the name of a family of distinguished Jewish patriots who headed a revolt in the reign of Antiochus IV. Epiphanes (175-164 B.c.), and, after strenuous exertions and the shedding of much blood, secured a last brief period of freedom and glory for Israel. Mattathias, the head of the family, according to Josephus (Ant. XII., vi. 1), was the son of John, the son of Simeon, the son of Asamonaios; according to I Macc. ii. 1, the son of John, the son of Simeon. Hashmon was therefore either greatgrandfather of Mattathias, or, in case Simeon is merely a form of Hashmon, the grandfather of Mattathias.

1. Mattathias and Judas

The steady purpose of the Macedonian states in the Orient was to Hellenize the populations. Epiphanes also had this aim, but pursued it with so much obstinacy that he weakened rather than strengthened his cause, and he found the stanchest opponents in the Jews. But even among them influences in his favor existed, and the high priest Jesus, who took the Greek name Jason, favored the Greek party. The progress of Greek ideas stirred up the zeal of those true to the faith of Israel, who formed a party and named themselves the " afflicted," the " poor " (ebhyonim), or the "pious" (.Hasidim, or Chasidim, from which last came the name Hasideans, the designation of a party which arose about this time, and became the later Pharisees). Embittered by the opposition, Antiochus at last began a religious persecution, a result of which was the bold slaughter by Mattathias of an apostate who was going to sacrifice to idols, and of a royal officer, and the revolt of his supporters. Upheld by the Chasidim, a little war was begun, in which the unfaithful in Israel and the Greeks themselves were assailed. Mattathias died 166, when his third son, Judas, was made leader, and for six years carried on the struggle against overwhelming odds and with varying fortunes. On account of his sudden attacks upon the enemy and the frequent blows which he struck he was called Maccabee, " the hammerer " or " the hammer," a name which came to glorify the entire family. The strife at this stage was rather religious than national in intent, since Judas had many enemies among the Jews themselves, particularly at the court at Antioch. It is to the leader's glory that under these circumstances he recovered the temple, which fact is celebrated by the Feast of the Dedication of the Temple. A contributory cause to the success of the Jews was the disharmony in Syrian affairs and the strife for the Syrian throne, of which skilful advantage was taken by the Jews. Demetrius 1. Soter, nephew of the usurper Epiphanes and the rightful heir, seized the kingdom from the son of Epiphanes, still a minor. Judas sought to obtain outside help for the furthering of his plans, which

165

were not yet carried out, and opened communications with the senate of Rome, a power which had its eyes on the Orient and advanced its purposes by intervening in domestic troubles. The army of Demetrius overran the land and held even the capital, while Judas retired to a place the location of which is unknown, named Alasa or Eaasa,161 B.C., where he fell.