Simon Thassi

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Simon from Guillaume Rouillé's Promptuarii Iconum Insigniorum

Hasmonean Kingdom under Simon Maccabaeus

situation in 143 BCE

area conquered

Simon Maccabeus also referred to as Simon Thassi (died 135 BCE) was the second son of Mattathias and thus a member of the Hasmonean family. The name "Thassi" has an uncertain meaning ("the Director", "the Guide", "the Man of Counsel", and "the Zealous" are all possible meanings of the term^[1])

He took a prominent part in the Jewish revolt against the Seleucid Empire led by his brothers, Judas Maccabaeus and Jonathan Maccabaeus. The successes of the Jews rendered it expedient for the pretenders to the throne of Syria to show them special favor, and therefore Antiochus VI. appointed Simon strategus, or military commander, of the coast region from the Ladder of Tyre to Egypt. As strategus Simon conquered the cities of Beth-zur and Joppa, garrisoning them with Jewish troops, and built the fortress of Adida in the plain^[2]

After the capture of Jonathan, Simon was elected leader by the people, assembled at Jerusalem; he at once completed the fortification of the capital, and made Joppa secure by expelling its Gentile inhabitants and filling it with Jews (I Macc. xiii. 8, 10, 11; "Ant." xiii. 6, § 4). At Hadid he blocked the advance of the treacherous Trypho, who was attempting to enter the country and seize the throne of Syria. Since Trypho could gain nothing by force, he demanded a ransom for Jonathan and the surrender of Jonathan's sons as hostages. Although Simon was fully aware that Trypho would deceive him, he acceded to both demands, so that the people might see that he had done everything possible for his brother. Jonathan was nevertheless treacherously assassinated, and the hostages were not returned. Simon thus became the sole leader of the people.^[2]

As the opponent of Trypho, Simon had every reason to side with Demetrius II., to whom he sent a deputation requesting freedom from taxation for the country. The fact that his request was granted implied the recognition of the political independence of Judea.^[2]

He became the first prince of the Hebrew Hasmonean Dynasty. He reigned from 142 to 135 BCE.

The Hasmonean Dynasty was founded by a resolution, adopted in 141 BCE, at a large assembly "of the priests and the people and of the elders of the land, to the effect that Simon should be their leader and high priest forever, until there should arise a faithful prophet" (1 Maccabees 14:41).

Recognition of the new dynasty by the Roman Republic was accorded by the Senate about 139 BCE, when the delegation of Simon was in Rome. Simon made the Jewish people semi-independent of the Seleucid Empire.

In February 135 BCE, he was assassinated at the instigation of his son-in-law Ptolemy, son of Abubus. Simon was followed by his third son, John Hyrcanus, whose two elder brothers, Mattathias and Judah, had been murdered, together with their father.

Simon Thassi Hasmonean Dynasty Died: 135 BCE
Preceded by Jonathan Maccabeus	Leader of the Maccabees 142 BCE – 135 BCE	Succeeded by John Hyrcanus I
	High Priest of Judaea 142 BCE – 135 BCE
References ↑ http://net.bible.org/dictionary.php?word=Thassi ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Simon Maccabeus", Jewish Encyclopedia
New title Principality declared	Prince of Judaea 141 BCE – 135 BCE

v t e Rulers of Ancient Israel

Pre-dynastic	Abimelech

United Monarchy	Saul Ish-boseth David Solomon

Israel (Northern Kingdom)	Jeroboam I Nadab Baasha Elah Zimri Tibni Omri Ahab Ahaziah Jehoram Jehu Jehoahaz Jehoash Jeroboam II Zechariah Shallum Menahem Pekahiah Pekah Hoshea

Judah (Southern Kingdom)	Rehoboam Abijam Asa Jehoshaphat Jehoram Ahaziah Athaliah Jehoash Amaziah Uzziah Jotham Ahaz Hezekiah Manasseh Amon Josiah Jehoahaz Jehoiakim Jeconiah Zedekiah

Hasmonean dynasty	Simon Maccabaeus John Hyrcanus Aristobulus I Alexander Jannaeus Salome Alexandra Hyrcanus II Aristobulus II Antigonus II Mattathias

Herodian dynasty	Herod the Great Archelaus Antipas Philip the Tetrarch Salome I Agrippa Agrippa II

Post-Second Temple era	Simon bar Kokhba

Italics indicate a disputed reign or non-royal title

v t e High Priests of Israel (List)

Tabernacle	Aaron Eleazar Phinehas Abishua Bukki Uzzi Eli Ahitub Ahijah Ahimelech Abiathar Zadok Ahimaaz

First Temple	Azariah Johanan Jehoiarib Jehoshaphat Jehoiada Pediah Zedekiah Azariah II Hilkiah

Post-exilic	Joshua Joiakim Eliashib Joiada Johanan Jaddua Onias I Simon I Simeon the Just Eleazar Manasseh Onias II Simon II Onias III Jason Menelaus Onias IV Alcimus

Hasmonean dynasty	Jonathan Apphus Simon Thassi Hyrcanus I Aristobulus I Alexander Jannaeus Hyrcanus II Aristobulus II Antigonus

Herodians to the Jewish Revolt	Hanameel Aristobulus III Joshua ben Fabus Simon ben Boethus Joazar ben Boethus Eleazar ben Boethus Annas Caiaphas Theophilus ben Ananus Simon Cantatheras ben Boethus Elioneus ben Simon Cantatheras Ananias ben Nebedeus Joseph Cabi ben Simon Ananus ben Ananus Joshua ben Damneus Joshua ben Gamaliel Mattathias ben Theophilus Phannias ben Samuel

Persondata
Name	Thassi, Simon
Alternative names
Short description	High priest of Israel
Date of birth
Place of birth
Date of death
Place of death

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Simon Thassi

References