Comrade in arms and then successor of his brother, Judah Maccabee, as commander of the Hasmonean revolt. The founding head of the Jewish state (160–143 BCE), he established his seat of power at Michmash, south of Jerusalem. In 153 BCE he moved to Jerusalem and was appointed high priest by his Syrian patron, Alexander Balas. Under his rule the territory of Judea was expanded northward and westward. He was murdered by a treacherous ally, the Syrian general Tryphon, and was succeeded by his brother Simeon.
