Timeline of the Maccabean Period

The Maccabean period marks one of the most dramatic chapters in Jewish history.

It began as a revolt against religious persecution, but then transformed into a century of Jewish independence under a family known as the Hasmoneans.

The period’s events are primarily recorded in the books of 1 and 2 Maccabees, with additional details from Josephus and other ancient sources. While these books aren’t included in the Protestant or Jewish canons, they provide crucial historical context for understanding the development of Judaism between the Old and New Testaments.

Time covered

Our timeline covers the events in 1 and 2 Maccabees, but continues on to the end of the Hasmonean dynasty when Herod the Great became king, and Jesus was born.

Timeline

167 BC

The Maccabean Revolt Begins

Antiochus IV Epiphanes outlaws Jewish religious practices and desecrates the Temple by setting up the ‘abomination of desolation’ - likely an altar to Zeus. The elderly priest Mattathias refuses to offer pagan sacrifices and sparks a revolt by killing both a compliant Jew and the king’s officer.

Mattathias and his five sons flee to the mountains, gathering followers and beginning a guerrilla campaign against Hellenizing forces.

1 Maccabees 1:41-64, 2:1-28

166 BC

Judah Maccabee Takes Command

After Mattathias’s death, his third son Judah Maccabee (‘The Hammer’) takes leadership of the revolt. He proves to be a brilliant military strategist, defeating much larger Seleucid forces through guerrilla tactics.

1 Maccabees 2:66-70, 3:1-9

165 BC

Temple Rededication

After several victories, Judah’s forces recapture Jerusalem and cleanse the Temple. They remove pagan altars, build a new altar, and restore proper worship. The eight-day celebration of this event becomes the festival of Hanukkah.

1 Maccabees 4:36-59

164-160 BC

Continued Battles and Judah’s Death

Judah continues fighting against both Seleucid forces and hostile neighboring peoples. He makes an alliance with Rome but is killed in battle before Roman help arrives. His brother Jonathan takes command of the Jewish forces.

1 Maccabees 7-9

152 BC

Jonathan Becomes High Priest

Amid Seleucid succession disputes, Jonathan Apphus is appointed High Priest by Alexander Balas, marking the beginning of Hasmonean rule combining political and religious authority.

1 Maccabees 10:15-21

142 BC

Simon Achieves Independence

After Jonathan’s capture and death, his brother Simon becomes leader. He gains full independence from Seleucid rule, establishes a hereditary high priesthood, and begins minting Jewish coins.

1 Maccabees 13:41-42, 14:41-49

134 BC

John Hyrcanus I Takes Power

Following Simon’s assassination, his son John Hyrcanus I becomes both High Priest and ethnarch. He expands Jewish territory and forcibly converts Idumeans to Judaism.

1 Maccabees 16:23-24

104 BC

Aristobulus I Becomes King

Aristobulus I, son of John Hyrcanus, takes the title of king, transforming the high priesthood into a monarchy. He dies after just one year of rule.

103 BC

Alexander Jannaeus Rules

Alexander Jannaeus becomes king and high priest, further expanding Jewish territory. His reign sees intense conflict between Pharisees and Sadducees, including a civil war that claims 50,000 Jewish lives.

76 BC

Salome Alexandra’s Reign

After Jannaeus’s death, his widow Salome Alexandra becomes queen, with her son Hyrcanus II as High Priest. Her reign brings peace and prosperity, with increased power for the Pharisees.

67 BC

Civil War Between Brothers

Upon Salome’s death, civil war erupts between her sons Hyrcanus II and Aristobulus II for control of the kingdom.

63 BC

Roman Intervention

Pompey intervenes in the civil war, captures Jerusalem, and makes Judea a Roman client state under Hyrcanus II. This effectively ends independent Hasmonean rule.