and successor of Mattathias is known in history as Judas Maccabaeus. Under him they were victorious. Antiochus died of a loathsome disease, stricken by God. The Maccabees recovered Jerusalem, purified the temple, and restored its worship, holding for eight days (in December, B. C. 165) the first "Feast of Dedication," which continued to be annually observed to our Lord's time (John x: 22.)" 6. _The Roman Period:_ "The Maccabean family continued to hold the main sway over the people, who retained their local customs, but were obliged to make terms with the Romans, under whose protection they retained considerable freedom. Although the Israelites were scattered over many countries, Jerusalem was still their religious and political center, and in its temple alone were sacrifices offered, and to it flowed the poll-tax of half a shekel from Jews all over the world. The Roman government acknowledged and confirmed their independent local administration, as a peculiar _"imperium in imperio,"_ by the following decrees: (B. C. 47.) Julius Caesar (for services in Alexandrine war) gave to Hyrcanus and his heirs all rights accorded to high priests by law or courtesy; all doubtful questions to be referred to him personally. Also, to Hyrcanus, his heirs and Ethnarch, the privilege of being patroni of all Jews that were aggrieved; hence all Jews throughout the world had a direct appeal to Caesar through the high priest, whose ambassadors had everywhere a free passage. Also, exemption from all tribute every seventh year, 'because they neither sow nor reap.' Also, peculiar liberty to 'meet and assemble together, and comport themselves according to the custom of their fathers, and their own laws.' (B. C. 44). On the death of Caesar and Hyrcanus, all the edicts of the former, whether recorded in the Treasury or not, were confirmed by the senate, in the Consulate of Dolabella and Antony. Thus the Jews, wherever they lived, were exempt from taxation at certain times, free from military service, allowed to maintain their peculiar customs, and looked to their high priest in Jerusalem as their ecclesiastical and civil superior in all that related to religious or ceremonial observances. But, for maintenance of order and general political government, a Roman official, supported by military organization, presided over all Syria. This official at first was one allied to both interests, and to whom was delegated the nomination to the high priesthood, viz., Herod the Great (B. C. 37), an Idumaean by birth, but descended from a Philistine slave. By aid of Roman troops he deposed the last Asmonaean prince, Antigonus, married his niece Mariamne (granddaughter of Hyrcanus, the high priest), and became a nominal sovereign, subject to Roms." (Oxford Bible Helps, p. 15.) Footnotes