Judas Maccabeus

Judas Maccabeus was a Jewish priest and military commander who led the Maccabean revolt against Seleucid rule in Judea during the second century BCE.

Antiochus IV Epiphanes: A Seleucid king who ruled from 175 to 164 BCE and imposed policies that intensified conflict in Judea. His measures against Jewish religious practice helped trigger the revolt Judas led.
Maccabean Revolt: A Jewish uprising against Seleucid rule and religious restrictions in Judea, beginning in 167 BCE. Judas became its leading commander after the initial rebellion.
Jonathan Apphus: A son of Mattathias who led the Maccabean movement after Judas's death and became high priest. He continued the family's struggle after Judas fell at Elasa.
Hasmonean dynasty: A Jewish ruling dynasty founded by the family of the Maccabees that governed Judea from the second to first centuries BCE. Judas's revolt established the conditions for his family to rule Judea.
Mattathias: A Jewish priest from Modein whose defiance of Seleucid religious decrees initiated the Maccabean revolt. Judas inherited leadership of the rebellion begun by his father.
Battle of Emmaus: A 165 BCE Maccabean victory over a Seleucid force near Emmaus in Judea. Judas used a night march to surprise the camp and defeat the force sent against him.
Simon Thassi: A son of Mattathias who became ruler and high priest of an increasingly independent Judea. His later leadership completed the political consolidation begun during Judas's campaigns.
Hanukkah: A Jewish festival commemorating the rededication of the Jerusalem Temple and the Maccabean revolt. The festival's Temple-rededication tradition is closely associated with Judas's victory.
Modein: An ancient Judean settlement associated with the priestly family of Mattathias and the outbreak of the Maccabean revolt. Mattathias's resistance began in this town before the revolt spread.
Battle of Beth Zur: A 164 BCE battle in which Judas's forces defeated a Seleucid army near Beth Zur. The victory helped secure access to Jerusalem and the Temple.

Linked from 7 pages