Maccabee

Member of an ancient Hebrew family founded by the priest Mattathias (died 166 BC) who, with his sons, led the struggle for independence against the Syrians in the 2nd century BC. Judas (died 161) reconquered Jerusalem in 164 BC, and Simon (died 135) established its independence in 142 BC. The revolt of the Maccabees lasted until the capture of Jerusalem by the Romans in 63 BC. The story is told in four books of the Apocrypha.