Simon Thassi (Maccabee) (may 2, 142 BC – may 2, 135 BC)

Description:

Simon Thassi was the second son of Mattathias and thus a member of the Hasmonean family.
The name "Thassi" has a connotation of "the Wise", a title that can also mean "the Director", "the Guide", "the Man of Counsel", and "the Zealous".
He became the first prince of the Hebrew Hasmonean Dynasty. He reigned from 142 to 135 BCE.

The Hasmonean Dynasty was founded by a resolution, adopted in 141 BCE, at a large assembly "of the priests and the people and of the elders of the land, to the effect that Simon should be their leader and high priest forever, until there should arise a faithful prophet".(1 Macc. 14:41
Recognition of the new dynasty by the Roman Republic was accorded by the Senate about 139 BCE, when the delegation representing Simon was in Rome. Simon made the Jewish people semi-independent of the Seleucid Empire.

In February 135 BCE, he was assassinated at the instigation of his son-in-law and rival Ptolemy, son of Abubus.
Simon was followed by his third son, John Hyrcanus, whose two brothers, Mattathias and Judah, had been murdered, together with their father.

Added to timeline:

Date: