The Maccabean Revolt was sparked by a series of events in the 2nd century BCE. One key factor was the Hellenization policies of the Seleucid king Antiochus IV. He sought to impose Greek customs and religion on the Jewish population, leading to a clash of cultures and religious practices. The desecration of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, including the installation of a statue of Zeus and the sacrifice of unclean animals, further fueled resentment among the Jewish population.
Mattathias, a Jewish priest, played a pivotal role when he refused to comply with the Hellenistic directives and killed a fellow Jew who was willing to obey the king's orders. This act marked the beginning of the rebellion. Mattathias' son, Judah Maccabee, emerged as a charismatic and strategic leader, rallying Jewish forces against the Seleucid rule.
The revolt gained momentum with guerrilla warfare tactics employed by the Maccabees, who eventually recaptured and cleansed the Second Temple in 164 BCE. The events leading up to and during the Maccabean Revolt are crucial episodes in Jewish history and are commemorated annually during the festival of Hanukkah.