Maccabean Revolt

French representation of the battle between Bacchides, general of Demetrius I Soter (c187-150 BCE), Seleucid King of Syria, and Jonathan during the Maccabean Revolt. Photo by Ann Ronan Pictures/Print Collector/Getty Images

The uprising of the Maccabees against the Seleucid Empire during the Hellenistic period is an integral part of the Hanukkah story. After the restoration of Jewish religious freedom, the Maccabees started another revolt to obtain total independence.