Join our Community
Support ToI and remove all ads
Learn more
×

Maccabees

A rare 2,000-year-old coin bearing the earliest known depiction of the Temple’s menorah was returned to the State of Israel on May 12, 2026, after a joint investigation by the US authorities and the Israel Antiquities Authority. (Eitan Klein/Israel Antiquities Authority)
May 14, 2026, 4:43 pm
2,000-year-old coin with earliest menorah image returned to Israel after seized in US
Joint operation also sees return of 2,500-year-old silver coin, one of two known examples in the world, as officials stress importance of international cooperation to combat looting
By Rossella Tercatin
A bronze hoard, composed of civic coins of ‘Akko-Ptolemais, was recently found in the excavations at the Hellenistic site Khirbet el-Eika. The find was published in January 2025. (Tal Rogovski)
February 5, 2025, 3:38 pm
Hoard of coins illuminates triumphant Maccabee campaign in 2nd-century-BCE Israel
A rare intact Hellenistic estate at Khirbet el-Eika in Eastern Galilee was likely abandoned by its inhabitant as Yonatan Maccabee and his army drew nearer, new research shows
By Rossella Tercatin
Some of a cache of newly discovered Maccabi-era coins, in an image released on December 29, 2024. (Dr. Shai Bar/ Zinman Institute of Archaeology at the University of Haifa)
December 29, 2024, 9:08 pm
‘Miracle’ hoard of Hasmonean coins discovered during Hanukkah in Jordan Valley dig
Haifa University team finds cache of 160 extremely rare coins – dated to 80/79 BCE, during the reign of Judah Maccabee’s grand-nephew – near Alexandrion Fortress, north of Jericho
By Gavriel Fiske
IAA archaeologist Marwan Masarwah holds a 1,700-year-old anchor in front of a sign advertising the campaign to encourage citizens to return illegally-held antiquities on June 15, 2023. (courtesy IAA)
June 15, 2023, 11:10 pm
New campaign to anonymously return illegally held antiquities nets thousands of items
15% of public estimated to be holding antiquities in their homes that by law belong to the state; Israel Antiquities Authority’s collection drive extended another week
By Melanie Lidman
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is drawing admiration from Jews who see him as a heroic figure. (Anadolu Agency/Getty Images via JTA)
March 1, 2022, 10:32 am
For many Jews, Volodymyr Zelensky is a ‘modern Maccabee’ as he fights Ukraine’s war
Leading his country in battle against Russian invasion, Jewish president is being compared to storied heroes, while also seen as dispelling notions of Jews as unpatriotic
By PHILISSA CRAMER
Coach Elliot Steinmetz instructs his Yeshiva University men's basketball team during its historic 2019-20 season. (YU Athletics)
March 3, 2021, 10:15 pm
Yeshiva University men’s basketball team on 35-game winning streak
Maccabees’ series of victories is third longest in NCAA Division III basketball history; team hasn’t lost a game since last season’s opener
By Andrew Silow-Carroll
A view of the Ayalon Valley, believed to be the site of ancient battles between the Maccabees and Greeks. (Shmuel Bar-Am)
December 12, 2020, 9:34 am
Relics of a rebellion: A Hannukah visit to the home of the Maccabees
Visitors to Modiin, home of the ancient rebels celebrated during the holiday, can view ancient ruins, historical sites and natural attractions including forests and springs
By Aviva and Shmuel Bar-Am
Second Temple-era menorah drawn in a cistern in the al-Aliliyat cliffs near modern Kfar Mukhmas. (Boaz Langford)
December 8, 2020, 2:05 am
Rare Second Temple menorah drawing from biblical Maccabean site brought to light
Hitherto unpublished 2,000-year-old engraved menorah, forgotten in archives for 40 years, shores up hypothesis that ancient Michmas was a priestly settlement, study says
By Amanda Borschel-Dan
Yeshiva forward Michael Bixon hugs forward Daniel Katz, back to camera, after the team's 102-83 win over Penn State-Harrisburg in the second round of the NCAA men's Division III college basketball tournament, March 7, 2020, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski)
March 8, 2020, 8:54 am
Yeshiva University basketball team reaches first Sweet 16
Maccabees down Penn State Harrisburg 102-83 in game played without fans due to coronavirus fears
By LUIS ANDRES HENAO
The rock-cut dovecote discovered at the Hasmonean-era site in Jerusalem's Sharafat neighborhood. (Yoli Schwartz/Israel Antiquities Authority)
March 27, 2019, 11:42 am
Large Hasmonean-era agricultural village found under Jerusalem Arab neighborhood
Impressive, multi-generation burial chamber and large dovecote point to well-heeled settlement in rural area, near today’s Biblical Zoo
By Amanda Borschel-Dan
The Maccabees, as depicted by the Polish artist Wojciech Stattler (1800–1875) (Public domain via Wikimedia Commons)
December 6, 2018, 2:12 am
Were the Maccabees religious extremists? Experts say it’s modern-day spin
The Hannukah heroes’ militarism may not sit well with American Jewish dovishness, but their extreme actions should be considered in the context of their time, scholars argue
By Ben Sales
The clay impression of a face used to seal 2,000-year-old documents was discovered in August 2018 at the Maresha excavations as part of a trove of 1,020 sealings. (Asaf Stern)
September 6, 2018, 2:28 pm
1,020 untouched clay sealings discovered after two millennia in hidden cave
A find of international significance in central Israel, the Hellenistic-era trove puts the ancient cosmopolitan city of Maresha ‘back on the map’
By Amanda Borschel-Dan
The cast of "The MeshugaNutcracker! The Chanukah Musical," including guest star Bruce Vilance (center), in 2016. A film version of the musical comedy will be screened on Dec. 19, 2017 (Courtesy: Guggenheim Entertainment)
December 18, 2017, 10:25 pm
Hanukkah gets a kitschy ‘Nutcracker’ treatment for the holiday’s last night
The film version of a musical comedy based on Festival of Lights to screen at hundreds of US movie theaters on December 19
By Matt Lebovic
Celebrating the Holiday of Holidays, the cross-section of Hanukkah, Christmas and Id al-Adha in Haifa (Sapir Bronzberg/Flash 90)
December 13, 2017, 4:22 pm
December brings a holiday for everyone, with celebrations nationwide
Warmth and light beat back the winter in this multicultural month of merriment
By Jessica Steinberg
Seven-year-old Hadas Goldberg-Keidar from Kibbutz Heftziba with the intact 2,200-year-old clay lamp next to porcupines' cave in the Beit She'an Valley. (Israel Antiquities Authority)
December 12, 2017, 1:11 pm
In porcupines’ den, mother and daughter discover 2,200-year-old Hasmonean lamp
Just in time for Hanukkah, a strolling family finds proof of how the Maccabees ‘expelled the darkness’ during their famous revolt
By Amanda Borschel-Dan
Load More

Sign in or Join The Times of Israel Community

Sign in or Register

Paying ToI Community members are invited to comment on articles
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Or Continue with
By joining you agree to the terms and conditions
Register to continue
Or Continue with
Log in to continue
Sign in or Join The Times of Israel Community
Sign in or Register
Only ToI Community members can comment below articles
Forgot your password? / Send me a login link
Or Continue with
check your email
Check your email
We sent an email to you at .
It has a link that will sign you in.
Join The Times of Israel Community
Commenting is available for paying members of The Times of Israel Community only. Please join our Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Confirm Mail
Thank you! Now check your email
You are now a member of The Times of Israel Community! We sent you an email with a login link to . Once you're set up, you can start enjoying Community benefits and commenting.
Back to top
Never miss breaking news on Israel
Get notifications to stay updated
You're subscribed
image
Register for free
and continue reading
Registering allows you to manage your newsletters and alerts and helps us improve your experience. It takes just a few seconds.
Already registered? Enter your email to sign in.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Or Continue with
By registering you agree to the terms and conditions. Once registered, you’ll receive our Daily Edition email for free.
Register to continue
Or Continue with
Log in to continue
Sign in or Register
I forgot my password / Send me a sign in link
Or Continue with
check your email
Check your email
We sent an email to you at .
It has a link that will sign you in.