29 Facts About Jonathan Apphus

Jonathan Apphus's father was a priest credited as the founding figure of the rebellion of the Maccabees against Antiochus IV Epiphanes of the Seleucid Empire.

Jonathan Apphus was survived by Jonathan and his brothers Eleazar Avaran, Johanan, Judah Maccabee, and Simon Thassi.

Jonathan Apphus served under his brother and took active parts in the battles against the Seleucid forces.

Jonathan Apphus reacted by retiring with his brothers Simon and John, and his followers to a desert region in the country east of the Jordan River.

Jonathan Apphus gave all the baggage into the hands of his brother John who took a small force and headed towards the friendly Nabataeans.

Subsequently, Jonathan Apphus was informed that one of the sons of Jambri was leading home a noble bride in great pomp, the Maccabean brothers proceeded to Medaba, ambushed the bridal procession, killed the entire party, to the number of 300, and seized all the treasure.

Jonathan Apphus had encountered and had raised his hand to slay Bacchides, when the latter evaded the blow; the Jews, defeated, sought refuge by swimming through the Jordan to the eastern bank.

Jonathan Apphus continued activities against the Jews influenced by the Hellenistic civilization.

Jonathan Apphus was now more experienced in guerrilla warfare, the primary tactic used by the Maccabean forces, and was constantly on guard to avoid direct confrontations with enemy forces even while continuing hostile operations.

Jonathan Apphus contacted the rival general with offers of a peace treaty and exchange of prisoners of war.

The victorious Jonathan Apphus now took up his residence in the old city of Michmash.

Jonathan Apphus appears to have used this peaceful period to good advantage, for he was in possession of great power.

Jonathan Apphus gladly accepted these terms and took up residence at Jerusalem in 153 BCE.

Jonathan Apphus became the official leader of his people and the Hellenistic party could no longer attack him without severe consequences.

Jonathan Apphus had determined to side with Alexander Balas, not trusting Demetrius, who in a second letter made promises that he could hardly have kept and conceded prerogatives that were almost impossible.

Jonathan Apphus was given the further honor of marriage to Cleopatra Thea, daughter of his allies Ptolemy VI and Cleopatra II.

Jonathan Apphus was invited but arrived after the wedding ceremony while celebrations continued.

Jonathan Apphus appeared with presents for both kings, and was permitted to sit between them as their equal; Balas even clothed him with his own royal garment and otherwise accorded him high honor.

Jonathan Apphus assaulted, captured and, burned Azotus along with the resident temple of Dagon and the surrounding villages.

The people of Azotus vainly complained to King Ptolemy VI, who had come to make war upon his son-in-law Alexander Balas, that Jonathan Apphus had destroyed their city and temple.

Jonathan Apphus peacefully met Ptolemy at Jaffa and accompanied him as far as the River Eleutherus.

Jonathan Apphus then returned to Jerusalem, maintaining peace with the King of Egypt despite their support for different contenders for the Seleucid throne.

Jonathan Apphus owed no allegiance to the new king, and took this opportunity to lay siege to the Seleucid fortress in Jerusalem and the symbol of Seleucid control over Judea.

Demetrius was very angry; he appeared with an army at Ptolemais, and ordered Jonathan Apphus to come before him.

Jonathan Apphus was three years old at most, but general Diodotus Tryphon used him to advance his own designs for the throne.

Jonathan Apphus defeated a force of Demetrius II which invaded from the north, in the plain of Azor, and drove them back over the Eleutherius River.

Sources report that Jonathan Apphus sought alliances with foreign peoples at this time.

Jonathan Apphus renewed the treaty with the Roman Republic, and exchanged friendly messages with Sparta and other places.

Jonathan Apphus fell into the trap; he took with him to Ptolemais 1,000 men, all of whom were slain; he himself was taken prisoner.