The Dangerous Alliance: How Judah’s Pact Led to Downfall

From Empire to Ruin (Part 1): The Hasmonean Revolt and the Surprising Victory

In the year 142 BCE, Simon Ben Mattathias, a Hasmonean leader, assumed the roles of leader and High Priest. Governing his realm with a firm hand, Simon sought to secure a future for his kingdom, aware of the instability in the Seleucid Empire. Past experiences had taught the Hasmoneans that reliance on Greek powers was fleeting. Judah Maccabee had once forged an alliance with Sparta, leaning on their shared ancestral lineage as descendants of Abraham, possibly esau's descendants.

Subsequently, Simon decided to forge a pact with the Romans, adversaries of the Greeks. An alliance with Rome promised strength and posed a threat to Greek interests.

The Romans welcomed the offer. A Roman elder, likely the consul Lucius Caecilius — as there was no Roman emperor at that time — penned a letter to the Greeks saying: "Lucius, an elder of Rome, to King Ptolemy, greetings.

"Simon, the High Priest, and our allies, the Jewish people, have sent envoys to renew their peace treaty with us, offering a golden shield weighing one thousand shekels as tribute.

"Therefore, we have decided to inform all kings and nations not to harm the Jews or wage war against their country and cities.

"Should anyone support those who rise in arms against them, they shall not receive aid, as we have accepted this offering. And any wrongdoers among you harboring nefarious designs against the Jews should be handed over to Simon the Priest for proper judgment."

This alliance was seen by Simon and his people as a secure advantage in the volatile Middle East.

They couldn't foresee how the Roman connection would eventually lead to their land's ruin. Rather, they felt empowered by the treaty. Indeed, not long after, Antiochus reversed his stance, demanding the return of cities Simon had captured in Israel, sending his request through Athenobius, his military chief: "You have seized Jaffa, Gezer, and the fortress in Jerusalem, which are my territories. You have devastated my lands and occupied my cities. Now, return the cities you took and all the taxes you levied beyond Judah’s borders. If not, pay me five hundred talents for the cities and an equal amount for the damages. Refusal will compel me to meet you in battle."

Athenobius reached Jerusalem and marveled at Simon's wealth and opulence, recounting to Simon the message from his king.

In a display of Jewish pride, King Simon responded to Antiochus: "We have not taken foreign land, nor claimed that which isn’t ours. We have reclaimed our ancestral heritage, which in times past, was unjustly seized by our enemies. When the opportunity arose, we rightfully restored our forefathers' legacy. Our reclaimed land is an inheritance, free from external claims. Our adversaries appropriated it through force and deceit. Now, with Hashem’s aid in our endeavors, we have retaken our ancestral land for our people."

From Empire to Ruin (Part 1): The Hasmonean Revolt and the Surprising Victory