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Mattathias
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Mattathias

Jewish priest
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Article History
Quick Facts
Died:
c. 166 bc
House / Dynasty:
Maccabees
Notable Family Members:
son Judas Maccabeus
son Jonathan Maccabeus
See all related content

Mattathias (died c. 166 bc) was a Jewish priest and landowner of Modein, near Jerusalem, who in 167 defied the decree of Antiochus IV Epiphanes of Syria to Hellenize the Jews; he fled to the Judaean hills with his five sons and waged a guerrilla war against the Syrians, being succeeded by his son Judas Maccabeus. Because, according to Josephus, Mattathias’ great-great-grandfather was called Hasmoneus, the family is often designated Hasmonean rather than Maccabee.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Encyclopaedia Britannica.