Simon Thassi: Difference between revisions
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| caption = An imaginary depiction of Simon Thassi from [[Guillaume Rouillé|Guillaume Rouillé's]] ''[[Promptuarii Iconum Insigniorum]]'' (1553) | | caption = An imaginary depiction of Simon Thassi from [[Guillaume Rouillé|Guillaume Rouillé's]] ''[[Promptuarii Iconum Insigniorum]]'' (1553) | ||
| succession = [[Maccabees|Leader of the Maccabees]] | | succession = [[Maccabees|Leader of the Maccabees]] | ||
| reign = 142–135 | | reign = 142–135 BCE | ||
| predecessor = [[Jonathan Apphus]] | | predecessor = [[Jonathan Apphus]] | ||
| successor = [[John Hyrcanus]] | | successor = [[John Hyrcanus]] | ||
| spouse = | | spouse = name unknown<ref>Tal Ilan, [https://jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/hasmonean-women Hasmonean Women.] - | ||
| issue = John Hyrcanus<br/>Mattathias II<br/>Judas II | The Shalvi/Hyman Encyclopedia of Jewish Women</ref> | ||
| issue = [[John Hyrcanus I]]<br/>Mattathias II<br/>Judas II | |||
| dynasty = [[Hasmonean dynasty|Hasmonean]] | | dynasty = [[Hasmonean dynasty|Hasmonean]] | ||
| father = [[Mattathias]] | | father = [[Mattathias]] | ||
| birth_date = 184 BCE | |||
| birth_date = 184 | |||
| birth_place = [[Judea]] | | birth_place = [[Judea]] | ||
| death_date = 135 | | death_date = February 135 BCE | ||
| death_place = [[Dok (fortress)|Dok]] | | death_place = [[Dok (fortress)|Dok]] | ||
| religion = [[Hellenistic Judaism]] | | religion = [[Hellenistic Judaism]] | ||
| buried = | | buried = | ||
| succession1 = [[Hasmonean | | succession1 = Prince of [[Hasmonean Judea|Judaea]] | ||
| reign1 = | | reign1 = 141-135 BCE | ||
| predecessor1 = | | predecessor1 = | ||
| successor1 = John Hyrcanus | | successor1 = [[John Hyrcanus I]] | ||
| succession2 = [[List of High Priests of Israel|High Priest of Judaea | | succession2 = [[List of High Priests of Israel|High Priest]] of Judaea | ||
| reign2 = | | reign2 = 141-135 BCE | ||
| predecessor2 = Jonathan Apphus | | predecessor2 = [[Jonathan Apphus]] | ||
| successor2 = John Hyrcanus | | successor2 = [[John Hyrcanus I]] | ||
}} | }} | ||
'''Simon Thassi''' ({{langx|he|{{Script/Hebrew|שִׁמְעוֹן הַתַּסִּי}}}} ''Šīməʿōn haTassī''; died 135{{nbsp}}BC)<ref name="Rogerson 2006"/> was a Jewish leader of the [[Hasmonean dynasty]], serving as high priest, military commander, and ruler of [[Judea]]. The second son of the Hasmonean patriarch [[Mattathias]] and one of the [[Maccabees|Maccabean]] brothers, he assumed leadership after his brother [[Jonathan Apphus]] was captured by the [[Seleucid Empire|Seleucid]] general [[Diodotus Tryphon]]. Simon played a central role in consolidating Hasmonean rule: he strengthened Judea's fortifications, expelled the Seleucid garrison from Jerusalem, and expanded Jewish settlement, laying the foundation for the [[Hasmonean Judea|Hasmonean state]]. His rule marked the beginning of effective Jewish independence. | |||
Simon assumed leadership in 143 BCE, completing [[Jerusalem]]'s fortifications and securing key areas, including [[Gezer]] and the port city of [[Jaffa]], where he stationed Jewish garrisons and settled Jewish inhabitants. He defended Judea from Tryphon's forces and recovered his brother Jonathan’s body for burial at [[Modi'in (ancient city)|Modi'in]]. Simon consolidated Judea's independence, cultivated relations with [[Roman Republic|Rome]], [[Sparta]], and the [[Seleucid Empire]], and was granted rights such as tax exemption and coinage, though he may not have used them. In 142/141 BCE, he captured the [[Acra (fortress)|Acra fortress]] in Jerusalem, removing the last remaining Hellenistic presence in the city. A public assembly formalized his rule as high priest, military commander, and national leader of the Jews, with hereditary succession in his family "until a new [[Prophets in Judaism|prophet]] should arise." | |||
Simon was assassinated in 134 BCE at the [[Mount of Temptation|fortress of Dok]] near [[Jericho]] by his son-in-law [[Ptolemy son of Abubus|Ptolemy ben Abubus]]. His third son, [[John Hyrcanus]], escaped and succeeded him, continuing the [[Hasmonean dynasty]] and expanding Judea's borders. | |||
==Names== | ==Names== | ||
| Line 39: | Line 40: | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
[[File:Judea Simon Makk.PNG | [[File:Judea Simon Makk.PNG|thumb|Hasmonean Kingdom under Simon Maccabaeus<br />{{legend|lime|situation in 143{{nbsp}}{{sc|bc}}}}{{legend|fuchsia|area expanded}}]] | ||
Simon took a prominent part in the [[ | Simon took a prominent part in the [[Maccabean Revolt]] against the [[Seleucid Empire]] led by his brothers, [[Judas Maccabaeus]] and [[Jonathan Apphus]]. The successes of the Jews rendered it expedient for the Seleucid leaders in [[Syria (region)|Syria]] to show them special favour. Therefore, [[Antiochus VI]] appointed Simon ''[[strategos]]'', or military commander, of the coastal region stretching from the [[Ladder of Tyre]] to Egypt. As ''strategos'', Simon gained control of the cities of [[Beth-zur]] and [[Jaffa|Joppa]], garrisoning them with Jewish troops, and built the fortress of [[Hadid|Adida]].<ref name=je>{{Cite Jewish Encyclopedia|url=http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/13746-simon-maccabeus |title=Simon Maccabeus}}</ref> | ||
After the capture of Jonathan by the Seleucid general [[Diodotus Tryphon]], Simon was elected leader by the people, assembled at [[Jerusalem]]. He at once completed the fortification of the capital, and made [[Jaffa|Joppa]] secure.<ref>{{Bibleverse|1|Maccabees|13:8-13:11|KJV}}</ref><ref>[http://www.gutenberg.org/files/2848/2848-h/2848-h.htm#link132HCH0006 Josephus, ''Antiquities of the Jews'', Bk. 13, Ch. 6, § 4].</ref> | After the capture of Jonathan by the Seleucid general [[Diodotus Tryphon]], Simon was elected leader by the people, assembled at [[Jerusalem]]. He at once completed the fortification of the capital, and made [[Jaffa|Joppa]] secure.<ref>{{Bibleverse|1|Maccabees|13:8-13:11|KJV}}</ref><ref>[http://www.gutenberg.org/files/2848/2848-h/2848-h.htm#link132HCH0006 Josephus, ''Antiquities of the Jews'', Bk. 13, Ch. 6, § 4].</ref> | ||
At [[Hadid]] he blocked the advance of Tryphon, who was attempting to enter the country and seize the throne of Syria. Realizing he could gain nothing by force, Tryphon demanded a ransom for Jonathan and for the release of Jonathan's sons as hostages. Although Simon was aware that Tryphon would deceive him, both Josephus and 1 Maccabees state that he acceded to both demands so that the people might see that he had done everything possible for his brother. Jonathan was nevertheless | At [[Hadid]] he blocked the advance of Tryphon, who was attempting to enter the country and seize the throne of Syria. Realizing he could gain nothing by force, Tryphon demanded a ransom for Jonathan and for the release of Jonathan's sons as hostages. Although Simon was aware that Tryphon would deceive him, both Josephus and 1 Maccabees state that he acceded to both demands so that the people might see that he had done everything possible for his brother. Jonathan was nevertheless assassinated, and the hostages were not returned. Simon thus became the sole leader of the people.<ref name=je /> | ||
As an opponent of Diodotus Tryphon, Simon decided to side with the Seleucid king, [[Demetrius II Nicator|Demetrius II]], to whom he sent a deputation requesting freedom from taxation for the country. The fact that his request was granted implied recognition of the political independence of [[Judea]]. | As an opponent of Diodotus Tryphon, Simon decided to side with the Seleucid king, [[Demetrius II Nicator|Demetrius II]], to whom he sent a deputation requesting freedom from taxation for the country. The fact that his request was granted implied recognition of the political independence of [[Judea]] in the year 142 BCE. | ||
In 141 BCE, the Jews themselves issued a public decree 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".<ref>{{Bibleverse|1|Maccabees|14:41|KJV}}</ref> This when Simon Thassi became [[List of High Priests of Israel|High Priest of Judaea]] and Ethnarch ([[Hasmonean|Prince of Judaea]]).<ref name=je /> He was the first prince of the [[Hasmonean dynasty]], reigning from 141 to 134 BCE. Recognition of the new dynasty by the [[Roman Republic]] was accorded by the Senate about 139 BCE, when the delegation representing Simon was in [[Rome]]. Simon had made the Jewish people semi-independent of the Seleucid Empire. | |||
In 134 BCE, Simon and his two sons Mattathias and Judah were assassinated at a banquet at [[Dok (fortress)|Dok]] by his son-in-law [[Ptolemy (son of Abubus)|Ptolemy]], the Seleucid governor at [[Jericho]]; Simon was the last of the Maccabees to 'die with his boots on'. Simon's third son [[John Hyrcanus]] succeeded him as high priest and ruler of Judea but was unable to capture Ptolemy, initially because the latter held John's mother hostage, and subsequently because his army disbanded in observance of the custom at the time of resting every seventh year. Under Hyrcanus (134–104 BCE) Jewish independence was finally achieved.<ref name="Rogerson 2006">{{cite book |title=The Oxford Handbook of Biblical Studies |last=Rogerson |first=J. W. |year=2006 |publisher=OUP Oxford |isbn=9780199254255 |quote=|page=292}}</ref> | |||
In | |||
==Legacy== | ==Legacy== | ||
[[Simon (given name)|Simon (and its Hebrew form, Simeon)]] would go on to become the most popular male name for some three centuries afterward in both the | [[Simon (given name)|Simon (and its Hebrew form, Simeon)]] would go on to become the most popular male name for some three centuries afterward in both the Hasmonean Kingdom and [[Judaea (Roman province)|Roman Judaea]]. This was both to honor a Jewish hero who had attained independence for the Jewish state, as well as because "Simon" did not sound artificial or strange to Greek ears.<ref>{{cite book |last=Hengel |first=Martin |authorlink=Martin Hengel |title=Judentum und Hellenismus: Studien zu ihrer Begegnung unter besonderen Berücksichtigung Palästinas bis zur Mitte des 2. Jahrhunderts vor Christus |trans-title=Judaism and Hellenism : Studies in Their Encounter in Palestine During the Early Hellenistic Period |edition= 1st English |location=London |publisher=SCM Press |date=1974 |orig-date=1973 |page=64 }}</ref><ref>Ilan, Tal (2002) ''Lexicon of Jewish Names in Late Antiquity: Palestine 330 BCE–200 CE'' (Texts & Studies in Ancient Judaism, 91), Coronet Books, pp. 56–57; Hachili, R. "Hebrew Names, Personal Names, Family Names and Nicknames of Jews in the Second Temple Period," in J. W. van Henten and A. Brenner, eds., ''Families and Family Relations as Represented in Early Judaism and Early Christianity'' (STAR 2; Leiden:Deo, 2000), pp. 113–115; ''apud'' {{cite book| last=Bauckham| first= Richard |title =Jesus and the Eyewitnesses | edition = 2nd | publisher = Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing | year = 2017 | isbn = 9780802874313 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=J2lAvgAACAAJ | pages =68–72 }} Quote (p. 71): ''15.6% of men bore one of the two most popular male names, Simon and Joseph''; (p. 72): ''for the [[Gospel]]s and [[Acts of the Apostles|Acts]]... 18.2% of men bore one of the two most popular male names, Simon and Joseph''.</ref> | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{Wikiquote}} | |||
{{Reflist}} | {{Reflist}} | ||
{{S-start}} | {{S-start}} | ||
{{S-hou|[[Hasmonean|Hasmonean Dynasty]]|||| | {{S-hou|[[Hasmonean|Hasmonean Dynasty]]||||134 BCE}} | ||
{{s-rel|jw}} | {{s-rel|jw}} | ||
{{S-bef | {{S-bef|before=[[Jonathan Apphus]]}} | ||
{{S-ttl|title=[[Hasmonean|Leader of the Maccabees]]|years=142– | {{S-ttl|title=[[Hasmonean|Leader of the Maccabees]]|years=142–134 BCE}} | ||
{{S- | {{s-non|reason=Title extinct}} | ||
{{S-ttl|title=[[List of High Priests of Israel|High Priest of Judaea]]|years= | {{S-bef|before=[[Jonathan Apphus]]}} | ||
{{S-ttl|title=[[List of High Priests of Israel|High Priest of Judaea]]|years=141–134 BCE}} | |||
{{S-aft|rows=2| after=[[John Hyrcanus|John Hyrcanus I]]}} | |||
|- | |- | ||
{{S-new|reason=Principality<br>declared}} | {{S-new|reason=Principality<br>declared}} | ||
{{S-ttl|title=[[Hasmonean|Prince of Judaea]]|years=141– | {{S-ttl|title=[[Hasmonean|Prince of Judaea]]|years=141–134 BCE}} | ||
{{s-end}} | {{s-end}} | ||
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{{Authority control}} | {{Authority control}} | ||
[[Category:135 BC deaths]] | |||
[[Category:2nd-century BCE high priests of Israel]] | [[Category:2nd-century BCE high priests of Israel]] | ||
[[Category:2nd-century BC Hasmonean monarchs]] | [[Category:2nd-century BC Hasmonean monarchs]] | ||
[[Category:Founding monarchs]] | [[Category:2nd-century BC murdered monarchs]] | ||
[[Category:Assassinated religious leaders]] | |||
[[Category:Founding monarchs in Asia]] | |||
[[Category:Maccabees]] | [[Category:Maccabees]] | ||
[[Category:People in the deuterocanonical books]] | [[Category:People in the deuterocanonical books]] | ||
[[Category:Year of birth unknown]] | [[Category:Year of birth unknown]] | ||
Latest revision as of 23:54, 30 December 2025
Script error: No such module "Infobox".Template:Template otherScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Simon Thassi (Template:Langx Šīməʿōn haTassī; died 135Script error: No such module "String".BC)[1] was a Jewish leader of the Hasmonean dynasty, serving as high priest, military commander, and ruler of Judea. The second son of the Hasmonean patriarch Mattathias and one of the Maccabean brothers, he assumed leadership after his brother Jonathan Apphus was captured by the Seleucid general Diodotus Tryphon. Simon played a central role in consolidating Hasmonean rule: he strengthened Judea's fortifications, expelled the Seleucid garrison from Jerusalem, and expanded Jewish settlement, laying the foundation for the Hasmonean state. His rule marked the beginning of effective Jewish independence.
Simon assumed leadership in 143 BCE, completing Jerusalem's fortifications and securing key areas, including Gezer and the port city of Jaffa, where he stationed Jewish garrisons and settled Jewish inhabitants. He defended Judea from Tryphon's forces and recovered his brother Jonathan’s body for burial at Modi'in. Simon consolidated Judea's independence, cultivated relations with Rome, Sparta, and the Seleucid Empire, and was granted rights such as tax exemption and coinage, though he may not have used them. In 142/141 BCE, he captured the Acra fortress in Jerusalem, removing the last remaining Hellenistic presence in the city. A public assembly formalized his rule as high priest, military commander, and national leader of the Jews, with hereditary succession in his family "until a new prophet should arise."
Simon was assassinated in 134 BCE at the fortress of Dok near Jericho by his son-in-law Ptolemy ben Abubus. His third son, John Hyrcanus, escaped and succeeded him, continuing the Hasmonean dynasty and expanding Judea's borders.
Names
The name "Thassi" has a connotation of "the Wise", a title which can also mean "the Director", "the Guide", "the Man of Counsel", and "the Zealous".[2][3] This Simon is also sometimes distinguished as Simon the Hasmonean, Simon Maccabee, or (from Latin) Simon Maccabeus.
History
<templatestyles src="Legend/styles.css" /><templatestyles src="Legend/styles.css" />
Simon took a prominent part in the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire led by his brothers, Judas Maccabaeus and Jonathan Apphus. The successes of the Jews rendered it expedient for the Seleucid leaders in Syria to show them special favour. Therefore, Antiochus VI appointed Simon strategos, or military commander, of the coastal region stretching from the Ladder of Tyre to Egypt. As strategos, Simon gained control of the cities of Beth-zur and Joppa, garrisoning them with Jewish troops, and built the fortress of Adida.[4]
After the capture of Jonathan by the Seleucid general Diodotus Tryphon, Simon was elected leader by the people, assembled at Jerusalem. He at once completed the fortification of the capital, and made Joppa secure.[5][6]
At Hadid he blocked the advance of Tryphon, who was attempting to enter the country and seize the throne of Syria. Realizing he could gain nothing by force, Tryphon demanded a ransom for Jonathan and for the release of Jonathan's sons as hostages. Although Simon was aware that Tryphon would deceive him, both Josephus and 1 Maccabees state that he acceded to both demands so that the people might see that he had done everything possible for his brother. Jonathan was nevertheless assassinated, and the hostages were not returned. Simon thus became the sole leader of the people.[4]
As an opponent of Diodotus Tryphon, Simon decided to side with the Seleucid king, Demetrius II, to whom he sent a deputation requesting freedom from taxation for the country. The fact that his request was granted implied recognition of the political independence of Judea in the year 142 BCE.
In 141 BCE, the Jews themselves issued a public decree 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".[7] This when Simon Thassi became High Priest of Judaea and Ethnarch (Prince of Judaea).[4] He was the first prince of the Hasmonean dynasty, reigning from 141 to 134 BCE. Recognition of the new dynasty by the Roman Republic was accorded by the Senate about 139 BCE, when the delegation representing Simon was in Rome. Simon had made the Jewish people semi-independent of the Seleucid Empire.
In 134 BCE, Simon and his two sons Mattathias and Judah were assassinated at a banquet at Dok by his son-in-law Ptolemy, the Seleucid governor at Jericho; Simon was the last of the Maccabees to 'die with his boots on'. Simon's third son John Hyrcanus succeeded him as high priest and ruler of Judea but was unable to capture Ptolemy, initially because the latter held John's mother hostage, and subsequently because his army disbanded in observance of the custom at the time of resting every seventh year. Under Hyrcanus (134–104 BCE) Jewish independence was finally achieved.[1]
Legacy
Simon (and its Hebrew form, Simeon) would go on to become the most popular male name for some three centuries afterward in both the Hasmonean Kingdom and Roman Judaea. This was both to honor a Jewish hero who had attained independence for the Jewish state, as well as because "Simon" did not sound artificial or strange to Greek ears.[8][9]
References
<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" />
- ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Thassi, accessed 6 January 2021
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b c Template:Cite Jewish Encyclopedia
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Bibleverse".
- ↑ Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, Bk. 13, Ch. 6, § 4.
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Bibleverse".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Ilan, Tal (2002) Lexicon of Jewish Names in Late Antiquity: Palestine 330 BCE–200 CE (Texts & Studies in Ancient Judaism, 91), Coronet Books, pp. 56–57; Hachili, R. "Hebrew Names, Personal Names, Family Names and Nicknames of Jews in the Second Temple Period," in J. W. van Henten and A. Brenner, eds., Families and Family Relations as Represented in Early Judaism and Early Christianity (STAR 2; Leiden:Deo, 2000), pp. 113–115; apud Script error: No such module "citation/CS1". Quote (p. 71): 15.6% of men bore one of the two most popular male names, Simon and Joseph; (p. 72): for the Gospels and Acts... 18.2% of men bore one of the two most popular male names, Simon and Joseph.
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