Battle of Adasa

Battle of Adasa
Part of the Maccabean Revolt
DateMarch, 161 BC
Location31°50′00″N 35°14′00″E / 31.8333°N 35.2333°E / 31.8333; 35.2333
Result Jewish victory
Belligerents
Jewish rebels Seleucid Empire
Commanders and leaders
Judas Maccabeus Nicanor 
Strength
Unknown (See #Analysis) Around 9,000 soldiers?[1]
Casualties and losses
Unknown Heavy

The Battle of Adasa was fought during the Maccabean revolt on the 13th of the month Adar (late winter, equivalent to March), 161 BC at Adasa (Hebrew: חדשה), near Beth-horon. It was a battle between the rebel Maccabees of Judas Maccabeus (Judah Maccabee) and the Seleucid Empire, whose army was led by Nicanor. The Maccabees won the battle after killing Nicanor early in the fighting. The battle came after a period of political maneuvering over several months where the peace deal established a year earlier by Lysias was tested by the new High Priest Alcimus, the new military governor Nicanor, and the Maccabee leader Judas Maccabeus.

The date of the battle in the Hebrew calendar, 13 Adar, was celebrated as Yom Nicanor (Day of Nicanor) to commemorate the victory.

  1. ^ Bar-Kochva 1989, p. 360.

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