Jonathan Apphus (Maccabeus) (18 agos 160 año aC – 1 mayo 142 año aC)

Descripción:

Jonathan had taken up leadership of the Maccabees on the deaths of various of his brothers and continued several unsuccessful campaigns against the Seleucids.
However an important external event brought the design of the Maccabeans to fruition. Demetrius I Soter's relations with Attalus II Philadelphus of Pergamon (reigned 159 - 138 BCE), Ptolemy VI of Egypt (reigned 163 - 145 BCE) and his co-ruler Cleopatra II of Egypt were deteriorating. They supported rival claimant to the throne Alexander Balas against him who claimed to be the son of Antiochus IV Epiphanes and a first cousin of Demetrius.

Demetrius was now forced to recall the garrisons of Judea, except those at Jerusalem's Akra fortress and at Beth-zur; he also made a bid for the loyalty of Jonathan, whom he permitted to recruit an army and to take the hostages kept in the Akra fortress. Jonathan gladly accepted these terms and took up residence at Jerusalem in 153 BCE. He soon began fortifying the city.

Alexander Balas also contacted Jonathan with even more favorable terms. Including official appointment as High Priest in Jerusalem. Withdrawing his support from Demetrius and declaring allegiance to Alexander, Jonathan was the first member of his dynasty to achieve appointment as High Priest. The title was not merely nominal. Jonathan became the official leader of his people and the Hellenistic party (Seleucids) could no longer attack him without severe consequences. On the Feast of Tabernacles of 153 BCE, Jonathan put on the High Priest's garments and officiated for the first time.

Jonathan (and his two sons) was finally tricked into capture at Scythopolis (Biet She'an) with 1000 of his men who were excecuted. Jonathan was held hostage by Diodotus Triphon (Seleucid King) but was eventually excecuted also because of Simon blocking his advances in all directions.
Nothing is known of his two captive sons. One of his daughters was the ancestress of Josephus.

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