Hanukkah or the Jewish Competition of Lights is widely known in reminiscence of the restoration of the Second Temple in Jerusalem from the Seleucid Empire within the 2nd century BC. This was at the start of the Maccabean revolt in opposition to Seleucid Hellenistic influences and persecution. Now, a newly found Seleucid sling stone from practically 2,300 years in the past sheds extra gentle on the violence and bloodshed which can be all central themes within the Hanukkah story. Hanukkah 2021 is at present being celebrated over a interval of eight days (at all times someplace in November or December, relying on the yr) throughout Israel and past.

The Seleucid sling stone was unearthed on the Zif archaeological website within the South Hebron Hills of Israel, which was a location for battles in opposition to the Maccabees rebels of Judea within the second century BC. (COGAT)

Tales within the Seleucid Sling Stone and Charred Fortress

The newly found Seleucid sling stone options the title of Diodotus Tryphon, the traditional Greek king who dominated the Seleucids between 142 and 138 BC.

The three-cm or 1.2-inch-long lead projectile additionally contains a image of Zeus, the Greek uber god. The invention was made at Zif, an archaeological website within the South Hebron Hills, this previous Sunday. It was found by the archaeological part of the Coordination of Authorities Actions within the Territories (COGAT) .

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The Seleucid Greek king Diodotus Tryphon occupies a infamous place in Jewish historical past. His forces killed Jonathan Maccabee, youthful brother of Judah and son of Mattathias Maccabee. Mattathias Maccabee turned the chief of the Maccabee dynasty and the preliminary revolt interval within the second century BC. Jonathan was slated to be the subsequent Excessive Priest of Judea, and his loss of life sparked a fierce rebellious response from the Maccabees in opposition to the Seleucids.

This yr, solely two weeks in the past, the charred stays of a 2,100 yr outdated Hellenistic fortress burnt down by the Maccabees within the years previous the ultimate revolt, was present in Israel. The fort had belonged to Greek troopers of the Seleucid Empire and was burnt down by the Judean Hasmonean dynasty that may take over Jerusalem till 67 BC. Weapons, charred wood beams, and dozens of cash had been additionally discovered on the website, shedding extra gentle on the “Hannukah story” and the fierce preventing spirit of the Jews simply because the Seleucid sling stone has.

“We proceed to find new findings that add to the wealthy historical past that befell within the West Financial institution tons of and 1000’s of years in the past. The Civil Administration will proceed to work tirelessly to protect and expose the archaeological websites, and nationwide heritage and cultural belongings all through Judea and Samaria,” mentioned Civil Administration Archaeological Division officer Hananya Hizmi, Employees Officer of Archaeology within the space.

Philippe De Loutherbourg’s portray of Mattathias slaying the Jewish apostate in 167 BC, which was the start of the Maccabees revolt in opposition to Seleucid Hellenistic concepts and existence. (Phillip Medhurst / FAL)

The Maccabean Revolt and The Motion for Independence

The Maccabees rebelled in opposition to the Seleucids primarily because of the undue affect and interference of the Hellenistic lifestyle on Jewish life.

The Seleucids, Greek Syrians by origin, established a Greek state in Western Asia between 312 BC and 63 BC, following the division of the Macedonian Empire, whose erstwhile founder was Alexander the Nice. At this level in historical past, not solely was the Hellenistic lifestyle an imposition, but in addition, Judaism was banned, inflicting mass discontent and anger amongst the Judean individuals.

The Seleucids confronted an onslaught from the Maccabee Jews, in what was initially a guerrilla motion within the countryside, which concerned frequent raids and harassment of Greek officers.

Ultimately, the small successes and raids led to the event of correct armies that might tackle fortified cities. This culminated within the recapture of Jerusalem in 164 BC after an 11-year warfare that resulted within the defeat of Seleucid Antiochus IV Epiphanes.

The following cleaning of the Second Temple and rededication of the altar in Jerusalem is the official motive for celebrating Hannukah.

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Traditionally, the revolt and its successes are seen as one of many first actions for Jewish nationalism and resisting the authority of a authorities engaged in Jewish suppression. However this was just the start of Jewish independence on a bigger scale.

Although the Seleucids, rattled by the lack of Jerusalem, unbanned Judaism, the extra radical Maccabees continued to prepare and struggle. And in slightly over twenty years, regardless of the lack of lack of Judas Maccabeus within the Battle of Elasa, Simon Thassi led the Maccabees to autonomy from the Seleucid Empire in 140 BC.

Prime picture: The three-cm or 1.2-inch lead Seleucid sling stone not too long ago unearthed on the Zif South Hebron Hills archaeological website in Israel. Supply: COGAT

By Sahir Pandey