On this day in 141 BCE

On this day in 141 BCE, the Jewish people took back their independence when Simon Thassi (Shimon the Hasmonean) was chosen as High Priest & leader of the Jews,  founding the Hasmonean dynasty, which marked a renewal of Jewish political independence,

The second son of Mattathias, & brother of Judah the Maccabee, Simon emerged from the Maccabean revolt as the decisive statesman who turned a military insurgency into recognised self-rule, creating the first totally independent Jewish state since the 586 BCE destruction of the First Temple - built in 1000 BCE by King Solomon - by Nebuchadnezzar II the king of the Neo-Babylonian Empire, leading to the Babylonian captivity of much of the Jewish population)

Simon's leadership combined military skill with shrewd diplomacy. He secured key coastal towns, negotiated autonomy & tax treaties with the Seleucid Empire, & even sent envoys to Rome to secure external recognition - effectively converting battlefield gains into durable political power.

Simon’s achievement was clear: he moved Judea from rebellion toward established, independent rule. 

Simon wasn’t just a fighter - he was a builder. After the Maccabean revolt led by his family, He secured key towns, cut smart deals with the Seleucid Empire, & even sent ambassadors to Rome. His legacy was carried on by his son, John Hyrcanus, who continued to expand the Hasmonean state.

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