Simon Thassi

Second son of Mattathias, Simon took command in 143 BCE after his brother Jonathan was captured by the Seleucid general Tryphon. He fortified Jerusalem, seized Gezer and Jaffa for Jewish settlement, and in 142/141 BCE captured the Acra fortress—ending the Hellenistic presence in the city. A public assembly formalized his rule as high priest, military commander, and national leader with hereditary succession "until a new prophet should arise." He cultivated ties with Rome and Sparta, won tax exemption and coinage rights, and laid the ground for a Hasmonean state. In 134 BCE his son-in-law Ptole…