Judas Maccabaeus: The Jewish Struggle Against the Seleucids

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Cambridge University Press, Aug 8, 2002 - Biography & Autobiography - 692 pages
This book is an account of the battles fought by Judas Maccabeus between 166 and 160 B.C. against the forces of the Seleucids during the revolt of the Jews against domination by the Seleucid empire. It reexamines the accepted assessments of Judas Maccabeus' activities and achievements and seeks to reconstruct the course of the military and political events of his time. Part I examines the composition and strength of the armies on both sides, their armaments and operating methods, and discusses the extent of Judas Maccabeus' success. Following an introduction evaluating the Jewish writings from all points of view, Part II gives detailed accounts of the battles, including the terrain and the tactics employed, analysing and commenting on the relevant narratives from the Book of Maccabees. Numerous appendices discuss individual problems vital to the reconstruction of the historical developments.

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Contents

Introduction Deployment and tactics in field battles during the Hellenistic period
3
The number of combatants on each side
29
The armament and tactical composition of the Jewish army
68
The ethnic origin and fighting capability of the Seleucid phalanx
90
The Seleucid army and mountain warfare
116
The military achievements of the Jewish forces
130
The battlefields tactics and leadership of Judas Maccabaeus
138
ACCOUNTS OF THE BATTLES INTRODUCTION TEXT AND COMMENTARY
149
The location and history of the Seleucid citadel the Akra in Jerusalem
445
The chronology of Antiochus Epiphanes expedition to the eastern satrapies
466
Defensive war on the Sabbath according to the Books of the Maccabees
474
The ceremony at Mizpah and the chapter on the Priest Anointed for Battle in the mishnaic tractate Sotah
494
The Babylonian Jews and the Galatians
500
The negotiations between the Jews and the Seleucid authorities in the reigns of Antiochus Epiphanes and Antiochus Eupator
516
The chronology of Lysias second expedition
543
The route of Bacchides second expedition to Judaea
552

The sources their date provenance and characteristics
151
The beginning of the Revolt and the battle against Apollonius
194
The ambush for Seron at the Beth Horon Ascent
207
The ceremony at Mizpah and the Ammaus campaign
219
Lysias first expedition and the raid near Beth Zur
275
Lysias second expedition and the battle of Beth Zacharia
291
The negotiations with Nicanor and the encounter at Kafar Salama
347
The battle of Adasa and Nicanor Day
359
Bacchides second expedition and the battle of Elasa
376
Conclusion
403
APPENDICES
411
The infantry Royal Guard in the Seleucid army
413
maarāKā formation and fālanks in the Hebrew original of I Maccabees
432
Was a Seleucid military settlement established in Jerusalem?
438
EXCURSUS
560
The Seleucid dates in I Maccabees
562
Migdal Zur in the MSS of the Scroll of Fasting sv ₁₄ Sivan and Beth Zur
565
The deployment of the armies at Magnesia
567
The Seleucid peltasts at Thermopylae
569
The belief in resurrection and the sectarian affiliation of the authors of the two Books of the Maccabees
571
ABBREVIATIONS
589
REFERENCES
592
INDEX LOCORUM
621
GENERAL INDEX
651
INDEX OF GREEK TERMS IN TRANSCRIPTION
667
INDEX OF HEBREW WORDS AND PHRASES
670
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