JONATHAN. The Asmonean, brother of Judas Maceabeus (q.v.). On the death of Judas in battle against the Syrians (B.C. 161), the lead ership of the struggle for national independence devolved upon Jonathan. The odds against him seemed at first overwhelming. The discontented elements of the population abetted by tbe Syri ans and the renegade high priest Alcimus, a pup pet of the Syrians, attempted to c.rush out the patriotic party. For some time Jonathan main tained himself in the regions east of the Jordan. At length, after the death of Aleimus (May, u.c. 160), Bacchides, the Syrian governor, having fortified and garrisoned a number of towns in Judea returned to Syria. This was Jonathan's opportunity. In a quiet way he managed to in crease his influence and more thoroughly organize his party, with the result that after two years the pro-Syrian party became alarmed and sent to Antioch for assistance. Bacchides returned, hut found Jonathan so strong that he was com pelled to recognize him, and determined to make peace with him. Jonathan took up his residence at. Miehmash, a few miles north of Jerusalem, and for five years so guided the affairs of the patriots that, notwithstanding the existence of the council at Jerusalem and the Syrian garri sons in the country. he succeeded in uniting the mass of the population under his leadership. The wars of contestants for the throne of Syria proved advantageous to the patriots. Demetrius 1. was opposed by the pretender to the throne, Alexander Bales. Each of the rivals courted Jonathan's assistance, making him liberal offers both for himself and his country. Jonathan, see ing that Alexander was destined to win, accepted the insignia of princely rank sent him and es poused his cause. In the same year (u.c. 153) he assumed the duties of high priest, which office had been vacant since the death of Alcimus. Alexander, aided by Ptolemy of Egypt, was vic torious, and at the celebration of his marriage to Cleopatra, Ptolemy's daughter. -Jonathan was an honored guest and was publicly confirmed in his rank and privileges. He was recognized as the military, civil, and religious head of Judea, sub ject to the overlordship of Syria. This remark able success was due to -Jonathan's political shrewdness as much as to his military abilities.
It was not long, however, before Syrian polities were again disturbed by the appearance of Deme trius II. as a rival of Alexander Balas. De metrius was assisted by Ptolemy, and won the day; but Jonathan was strong enough not only to repel an attempted invasion of Judea, but to gain important military successes in the old Philistine territory. He even advanced a step farther, and laid siege to the citadel of Jerusa lem, occupied by the Syrian garrison, the symbol of Syrian sovereignty. Jonathan's aim was now evidently complete independence of Syria. De metrius heard of this, and summoned -Jonathan before him. .Jonathan obeyed the summons with out raising the siege. The result of his interview with Demetrius was that a considerable tract of territory was added to Judea's domain, the taxes were materially reduced. and Jonathan was con firmed in his various The Syrian garri son. however, remained in Jerusalem. Soon after this Demetrius, who was unpopular, was forced to meet a rebellion headed by a certain Trypbo, who claimed to be espousing the cause of An tioehns, son of Alexander Balas. Though Jona than assisted Demetrius in suppressing the revolt in Antioch. the King failed to show any grati tude, and in the civil war that followed the Jews favored Trypho. Jonathan now engaged in many active and successful campaigns against the forces of Demetrius, conquered much adjacent territory to the cast and fortified Joplin, and finally )(mewed his efforts to reduce the Syrian garrison in the strong fortress of Jerusalem. lle was now a powerful prince with a well-disciplined army of over 40,000 men. and Trypho saw that he must be crushed if his own ambitious designs were to succeed. lie entrappA Jonathan by artful means, and at first held him for a ransom, but after the ransom was paid foully murdered him (me. 143). Jonathan was eminently the politician of the three brothers whose careers were so glorious. His administration of eighteen years was a con spicuous success. It was comparatively easy for his brother Simon• who succeeded him, to reap the benefits of •onathan's policy, and secure, in the following year (u.c. 142), complete imle pendence for the Jews.