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Judah Maccabeus

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Military Personnel

The Resume

    ( -160 BC)
    Born in Modiin, Israel
    First name also given as Judas
    Last name also spelled as Maccabee or Machabeus
    Leader of the Maccabean revolt of Jews against the Seleucid Empire (one of the Hellenized kingdoms formed from Alexander the Great's conquests)
    Revolt described in the First and Second Book of Maccabees

Why he might be annoying:

    The revolt was initially directed against other Jews who had adopted Greek ways.
    His army forcibly circumcized boys in villages that they took over.
    The Seleucid leader Demetrius eventually raised an army of 20,000, which was so numerically superior that most of Judah's men left the field of battle and urged him to do likewise and await a more favorable opportunity.
    Instead, he fought the Battle of Elesa and got himself (and most of his remaining followers) killed.
    Although First and Second Maccabees are considered part of the Bible by Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches, they are not part of the Jewish Bible.
    He disapproved of athletic competitions (since they were a reflection of Greek culture), but he became the namesake for the modern-day Maccabiah Games.

Why he might not be annoying:

    Depending on which theory you buy, his last name meant either 'hammer' or 'the one designated by Yahweh.'
    During the early years of the revolt, he won a number of victories against larger forces through guerilla tactics and surprise attacks.
    He reconsecrated the Temple of Jerusalem (December 14, 164 BC), an event commemorated by the holiday of Hanukkah.
    He was considered one of the greatest warriors in Jewish history, along with Joshua and David.
    In the Middle Ages, he was one of the Nine Worthies who personified the ideals of chivalry.
    He inspired an oratorio by Handel and a play by Longfellow.

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2022, Out of 3 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 9 Votes: 55.56% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 36 Votes: 22.22% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 9 Votes: 44.44% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 3 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 4 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 4 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 3 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 12 Votes: 58.33% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 7 Votes: 57.14% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 13 Votes: 69.23% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 56 Votes: 76.79% Annoying