Events from 166 BC

Maccabees decide to fight on Sabbath - after 1,000 killed refusing to defend on Sabbath, Mattathias permits defensive warfare

Death of Mattathias - appoints son Judah Maccabee ('The Hammer') as military leader, Simon as counselor

Battle of Beth Horon - Judah defeats and kills Apollonius, takes his sword, uses guerrilla tactics against larger force