Judas had full occupation for his courage and ability in repelling the incursions of those numer ous foes who dreaded the restoration of order and religion. But every day added to his suc cesses. Having overthrown the Syrian com manders sent against him, he occupied Samaria, made himself master of the strong city of Hebron, of Azotus, and other important places, taking nal vengeance on the people of Joppa and Jain nia, who had treacherously plotted the destruction of numerous faithful Jews.
Antiochus Epiphanes was succeeded by Anti ochus Eupator. At first this prince acted towards the Jews with moderation and tolerance. But he soon afterwards invaded Judxa with a powerful army, and was only induced to make peace with Maccabxus by the fears which he entertained of a rival aspirant to the throne. His caution did not save him. He was put to death by his own uncle, Demetrius, who, obtaining the throne of Syria, made peace with Judas, but took posses sion of the citadel of Jerusalem, which was occupied by his general Nicanor, and a body of troops. This state of things was not allowed to last long. Demetrius listened to the reports of Nicanor's enemies, and threatened to deprive him of his command unless he could disprove the ac cusation that he had entered into a league with Judas, and was betraying the interests of his sovereign. Nicanor immediately took measures to satisfy Demetrius, and Judas saw it necessary to escape from Jerusalem, and put himself in a posture of defense. A battle took place in which he defeated his enemy. Another was soon after fought at Beth-horon, where he was again vic torious. Nicanor himself fell in this battle, and his head and right hand were sent among the spoils to Jerusalem. But the forces of Demetrius were still numerous. Judas had retired to Laish with about three thousand followers. He was there attacked by overwhelming numbers. Only eight hundred of his people remained faithful to him on this occasion. Resolved not to flee, he bravely encountered the enemy, and was speedily slain, regarding his life as a fitting sacri fice to the cause in which he was engaged.
(3) Jonathan. After the death of Judas the patriotic party seems to have been for a short time wholly disorganized, and it was only by the pressure of unparalleled sufferings that they were driven to renew the conflict. For this purpose they offered the command to Jonathan, surnamed Apphus (the wary), the youngest son of Mat tathias. Jonathan proved himself a worthy suc cessor of his heroic brother, and skillfully evaded the first attack of Bacchides, the Syrian gen cral. For two years after this, the brothers were
left in tranquillity, and they established them selves in a little fortress called Bethtasi, situated among the rocks near Jericho. The skill and res olution with which they pursued their measures rendered them formidable to the cnemy ; and the state of affairs in Syria some time after obliged Demetrius to make Jonathan the general of his forces in Judwa, and to invest him with the au thority of governor of Jerusalem. To this he was compelled by the rivalry of Alexander Balas; but his policy was too late to secure the attach ment of his new ally. Jonathan received offers from Alexander to support his interests among the Jews, and the high-priesthood was the prof fered reward. The invitation was accepted ; and Jonathan became the first of the Asmonwan line through which the high-priesthood was so long transmitted. Alexander Balas left nothing un done which might tend to secure the fidelity of Jonathan. He gave him a high rank among the princes of his kingdom, and adorned him with a purple robe. Jonathan continued to en joy his prosperity till the year B. C. '43, when he fell a victim to the treachery of Trypho, who aspired to the Syrian throne.
(4) Simon. As soon as Simon, the last re maining brother of the Maccabwan family, heard of •the detention of Jonathan in Ptole mais by Tryphon, he placed himself at the head of the patriot party. His skill in war had been proved in the lifetime of Judas (t Macc. v :17 23), and he had taken an active share in the campaigns of Jonathan, when he was intrusted with a distinct command (1 Macc. xi :59). Try phon, after carrying Jonathan about as a prisoner for some little time, put him to death, and then, having murdered Antiochus, seized the throne. On this Simon made overtures to Demetrius II (B. C. 143), which were favorably received, and the independence of the Jews was at length for mally recognized. The long struggle was now triumphantly ended. and it remained only to reap the fruits of victory. This Simon hastened to do. The prudence and wisdom for which he was already distinguished at the time of his father's death (1 Mace. ii :65) gained for the Jews the active support of Rome (1 Macc. xv 16-21), in addition to the confirmation of earlier treaties. After settling the external relations of the new state upon a sure basis, Simon regulated its internal administration to the great satisfac tion of his subjects.