The Jews now yielded to despair,when an eminent priest named Mattathias, had the courage to oppose the orders of the king, and, by his example and exhortations, roused the spirits and the zeal of his countrymen. In the year 167 B. C. Mattathias, finding that his followers daily increased in number, attacked the Syrians and apostate Jews, march ing from city to city, overturning the idolatrous altars, and opening the synagogues. He was so successful, that in the space of a year he had extended his reformation through out a considerable part of Judea, and he could probably have completed it had he not died.
He was succeeded by the famous Judas 'Maccabeus, who at the head of 6000 men made himself master of some of the strongest fortresses in Judea, and after defeating the Syrians in five pitched battles, drove them entirely out of the country, except from a strung fort built over against the temple. In the year 163 B. C. after the death of Anti ochus, a peace was concluded upon terms very advantage ous to the Jewish nation ; but it was not of long continu ance. Judas was again successful in five engagements ; in the sixth however, having been abandoned by all his troops except 800, he, together with his gallant band, was slain in the year 161 B. C. Jonathan and Simon, his bro thers, succeeded him. The latter drove the Syrian garri son from the fortress of Jerusalem, but was at last treache rously murdered by his son-in-law about 135 B. C.
Simon was succeeded by his son Hyrcan, who made himself master of all Palestine, as well as of Samaria and Galilee. He was successful and happy till the last year of his life, when he became involved in a quarrel with the Pharisees, which is supposed to have shortened his days. The factious and turbulent spirit of this sect also proved very troublesome to Alexander Jannmus, who obtained the royal power in the year 105 B. C. and who seems to have been a monarch of great activity, enterprise and talent. While he was engaged in subduing his foreign enemies, the Pharisees raised a rebellion at home, but this he quashed in the year 86 B. C. and by treating them with very great severity, not to say cruelty, he prevented them from again disturbing his reign. Alexander having made several conquests in Syria, died about 79 B. C. He left two sons, Hyrcanus and Aristobulus, but bequeathed the gov ernment to his wife as long as she lived. The Pharisees by this time had again put forth their power, and became so turbulent as to render the situation:of the queen very un pleasant; they even compelled her to persecute the Saddu cees in a most cruel manner. On her death, contests began
between her sons : the Pharisees supported Hyreanus, but his army deserting to Aristobulus, the former was obliged to abandon all title both to the Royal and pontifical dignity. His party, notwithstanding, still existed and were active ; and having obtained the assistance of the King of Arabia, invaded Judea, defeated Aristobulus, and closely bekiged him in Jerusalem. In this situation the latter called in the Romans, and by their means drove the Arabians out of the country.
After this both the brothers agreed to constitute Pom pey, at that time commander in chief of all the Roman for ces in the east, the arbitrator of their differences. Pompey had resolved to take the part of Hyrcanus, and Aristobulus suspecting this, prepared to defend himself against the Romans. On this the Roman general summoned him to appear before him, which he reluctantly did. Pompey in sistbd that he should deliver up all the fortified places he possessed. Upon this he fled to Jerusalem, but being quickly followed by Pompey, to prevent hostilities, he pro mised to pay him a large sum of money. Some troops were accordingly sent to receive the stipulated sum, but they were repulsed by the garrison of Jet usalem. This exasperated Pompey so much that he immediate) march ed against that city. The Jews were still so scrupulous, that they would not do any thing on the Sabbath to prevent the besiegers from carrying on their works. The city was therefore taken in the year 63 B. C. Twelve thousand of the inhabitants were slaughtered, and many more put an end to their own lives. Hyrcanus was restored to the dig nity of high-priest, with the title of but forbidden to assume the title of king, or to extend his territories be yond Judea. The walls ofJerusalem were destroyed, and a Roman governor and garrison were left in it. Aristobu lus, and his two sons Alexander and Antigonus, were car ied by Pompey to Rome ; but Alexander escaped into Ju dea, and raised an army of 11,500 men. Ilyrcanus on this applied to the Romans for assistance : Alexander ventured a battle, but was defeated with considerable loss. After this, his mother contrived to make his peace with the Ro mans. Judea was at this period divided into live districts, in each of v. !Lich a separate court of judicature war erected. The first of these was at Jerusalem ; the second at GJdara; the third at Amath ; the fourth at Jericho ; and the fifth at Sephoris in Galilee.