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Battle of Emmaus
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the Maccabean Revolt
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166 BC
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near Emmaus
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Jewish victory
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Jews
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Seleucids
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Judas Maccabeus
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Lysias, Gorgias
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Unknown
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At least 5000
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The took place in
166 BC between the
Hasmonean rebels of
Judea , led by
Judas Maccabeus and the third expedition of
Hellenist forces sent by
Antiochus IV Epiphanes , this time led by
Lysias and his general,
Gorgias .
Gorgias established his base camp at the town of
Emmaus , along the western border of Judea, while Judas Maccabeus' camp was located in the town of
Mitzpah , north of
Jerusalem . When word reached Maccabeus that Gorgias was leading 5,000 troops on a march against his camp and was planning to surprise the Jewish rebels in a nighttime attack, he abandoned his camp and led his forces to
Emmaus , to attack the Hellenic base camp that remained there. Gorgias was unable to find Maccabeus and his men, so he returned to Emmaus, only to find his camp destroyed and the rebel army in position against his troops. In the ensuing battle, Judas Maccabeus and his men succeeded in repelling Gorgias and chasing his army out Judea and down to the Coastal Plain in what was considered one of his most important victories in the war for Judea's independence.
