# Judah Maccabee

> 2nd century BCE Jewish priest and leader of Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucids

**Wikidata**: [Q111559](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q111559)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judas_Maccabeus)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/judah-maccabee

## Summary
Judah Maccabee was a 2nd century BCE Jewish priest and military commander who led the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire. As a hereditary kohen, he is historically defined by his role in organizing the Jewish rebellion to restore religious freedom. His leadership established him as a central figure in Jewish history during the Hellenistic period.

## Biography
- **Born**: [Date and place not specified in source material]
- **Nationality**: Jewish (2nd century BCE)
- **Education**: [Not specified in source material]
- **Known for**: Leading the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire as a Jewish priest and military commander
- **Employer(s)**: [Not specified in source material; served as a leader of the Jewish rebellion]
- **Field(s)**: Military command, Jewish priesthood (Kohen)

## Contributions
Judah Maccabee led the Maccabean Revolt, a Jewish rebellion against the Seleucid Empire in the 2nd century BCE. As a military commander, he organized and directed the forces that fought against Seleucid rule. His leadership as a kohen provided the religious and political foundation for the uprising.

## FAQs
**What was Judah Maccabee's primary role in history?**
He served as a Jewish priest and military commander who led the Maccabean Revolt. His dual identity as a kohen and a war leader defined his historical significance.

**Who did Judah Maccabee fight against?**
He led the rebellion against the Seleucid Empire during the 2nd century BCE. This conflict was a direct response to Seleucid oppression of Jewish religious practices.

**What specific title or lineage did Judah Maccabee hold?**
He was a kohen, which denotes a hereditary priest in Judaism. This lineage was central to his authority as a leader of the revolt.

## Why They Matter
Judah Maccabee's leadership fundamentally altered the political and religious landscape of 2nd century BCE Judea. By leading the Maccabean Revolt, he challenged the hegemony of the Seleucid Empire and preserved Jewish religious autonomy. Without his military command and priestly status, the successful resistance against Seleucid rule might not have occurred, potentially changing the course of Jewish history and the survival of Jewish traditions during the Hellenistic era.

## Notable For
- Leading the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire in the 2nd century BCE.
- Serving as a kohen, a hereditary priest in Judaism.
- Acting as a military commander for the Jewish rebellion.
- Being identified by the aliases Judas Maccabeus and Judas Maccabæus.
- Holding a significant historical presence with 52 sitelinks across various language editions of Wikipedia.

## Body

### Identity and Lineage
Judah Maccabee is classified as a human and a member of the Homo sapiens species. He held the specific religious title of kohen, indicating his status as a hereditary priest in Judaism. This priestly lineage was a defining characteristic of his identity. He is also widely known by the aliases Judas Maccabeus and Judas Maccabæus.

### Military Leadership
As a military commander, Judah Maccabee commanded a military force during a critical period of Jewish history. His primary military achievement was leading the Maccabean Revolt. This revolt was a Jewish rebellion specifically directed against the Seleucid Empire. The conflict took place in the 2nd century BCE. His role involved organizing the resistance and directing military operations against the Seleucid forces.

### Historical Context and Impact
The Maccabean Revolt represents a major event in the 2nd century BCE involving the country of Judea. Judah Maccabee's actions were central to this rebellion. His leadership combined religious authority as a kohen with military strategy. The revolt is documented with 43 sitelinks, highlighting its historical importance. Judah's Wikipedia entry, titled "Judas Maccabeus," has 52 sitelinks, reflecting his global recognition.

### Legacy and Recognition
Judah Maccabee remains a significant figure in historical records. His life and work are categorized under the specific entity of the Maccabean Revolt. The combination of his roles as a priest and a commander distinguishes his historical profile. No other specific dates, educational institutions, or employers are recorded in the provided source material. His legacy is defined entirely by his leadership of the rebellion and his priestly status.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. [Source](https://books.google.fr/books?id=N5zBrssLDTQC&lpg=PP1&dq=D%27Alexandre%20%C3%A0%20Z%C3%A9nobie&hl=fr&pg=PT251#v=onepage&q=judas%20fut%20tu%C3%A9&f=false)
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. IdRef
6. BBC Things
7. CERL Thesaurus
8. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line
9. Dizionario di Storia