The Hasmoneans and their Rivals in Seleucid and Post-Seleucid Judea

Abstract

The first book of Maccabees gives a detailed account of the Hasmonean rise to power within the administrative structures of the declining Seleucid Empire. While this picture is altogether plausible as far as the Hasmoneans are concerned, there are obvious holes in the narrative when it comes to rival claims. All opponents are characterized as “lawless” and “impious men.” There are nevertheless some indications that other parties had similar access to Seleucid pretenders, and that the Hasmoneans constantly had to face opposition from groups quite similar to themselves. The article tries to identify some of these groups. It also considers the repercussions this rivalry had in the post-Seleucid Hasmonean state.

“Neither a Demos nor a Polis”: Post-Seleucid Community Formation in the Book of Judith

“…46. This has been discussed many times, e.g., by Balzaretti 2009, 209-11;Eckhardt 2016;Hartmann 2021. kill them all. The plot of the Book of Judith is also based on a wrong choice, in this case made by Uzziah and the elders of Bethulia under popular pressure: to open the gates and hope for the best.…”

“…13. On Judith and Judas, see, among many, Scaiola 2018; on Judith and Hasmonean ideology, see (with different results) Roddy 2008;Eckhardt 2009. 14. To avoid misunderstandings: no claim is made here about the primary "function" or "agenda" of the Book of Judith.…”

“…23. The evidence for Greek civic administration in the region is discussed by Finkielsztejn (2012;2020); a Roman administrative model is assumed by Canali de Rossi (2020).…”

The impact of humanitarian values on the architectural development in the Monastery of Temptation

“…1). During the Maccabean revolt, the mount was defended by the Seleucid general Bacchides (Eckhardt, 2016). In 167 BC, the Jewish revolt resulted in the destruction of this fortress, but Bacchides managed to recapture it after his victory at Elasa in 160 BC (Eckhardt, 2016).…”