Member of an ancient Hebrew family founded by the priest Mattathias (died 166
BC) who, with his sons, led the struggle for independence against the Syrians in the 2nd century
BC. Judas (died 161) reconquered Jerusalem in 164
BC, and Simon (died 135) established its independence in 142
BC. The revolt of the Maccabees lasted until the capture of Jerusalem by the Romans in 63
BC. The story is told in four books of the
Apocrypha.
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