Judah Maccabee (Commander) (jan 1, 166 BC – jan 1, 160 BC)

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Judah Maccabee, son of Mattathias, became the most famous military leader of the revolt. He led the Jews against the Seleucid armies and achieved major victories despite having smaller forces. His greatest achievement was the recapture and rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem, which became the basis for Hanukkah.

Judah was more of a revolutionary leader than a king. From a Jewish perspective, he is remembered as a heroic defender of Torah, Temple worship, and Jewish identity against forced Hellenization. He eventually died in battle, but his victories made later Jewish independence possible.

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