The result of this order belongs to history, which tells how the invincible men of Judas, beginning on the south, swung to east, then from east to north, then from north to west, and then from west to south again—the swing of the mighty Hammer of Israel—crushing a hostile tribe at every stroke, until Judah lay quiet within all its desolate borders.
No sword gleamed brighter in those days than that of Gershom ben Shattuck, and no foeman gave more desperate battle than Nadan, son of Yusef, Sheikh of Jericho.
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Note.—Judas fell in battle three years later. The still sceptreless rule was then taken by Jonathan, who, with the title of High Priest, consolidated the religious and secular orders, and laid wide and deep the foundation of the Asmonean power—a title taken from the family name of Mattathias, the father of the Maccabees. On the death of Jonathan, Simon the Wise accomplished his purpose of kingship for Israel, and crowned himself. In the seed of Simon the dynasty endured until the last diluted drops of Maccabæan blood drained from the veins of the Herods, and the eyes of the world were turned to one whom they called, not Messiah Malhamah, "The Anointed for War," but Christ, "The Prince of Peace."
For the descriptions of the battles of Judas mentioned in this book the writer has been compelled to supplement with his own imagination very meagre historic materials. The place of the fight with Apollonius (The Wady) is unidentified by chroniclers. The affair at Bethhoron follows only the general topography of the region. The stratagem of Judas at Emmaus is, however, well known, and was imitated by Bonaparte. The method of "The Hammer" at Bethzur cannot have differed greatly from that described. The result of all these battles is as historic as it was marvellous.
If injustice has been done to any of the real characters involved, Antiochus Epiphanes, Mattathias and his five sons, the priest Menelaos, or the various generals commanding the hosts overthrown by the heroic patriots, the writer is prepared to make the personal amende honorable if he should ever meet them in the shades.
For the other characters, Deborah and Dion, Caleb and Meph, it is sufficient to say that they are the children of his own fancy, over whom he exercises the ancient paternal right of absolute disposal. Of Glaucon and Clarissa, the report that Agathocles, on his return to Antioch, met them as the keepers of a wine shop near the bridge over the Orontes, is as true as were all the other declarations of that veracious Greek.
The student of the Maccabæan period may profitably consult the Books of the Maccabees in the Apocryphal Bible (for traditional accounts); "The Histories of Polybius" (for contemporaneous history of other nations); Prideaux's "Connections of Old and New Testaments" (for relation of Jews and Gentiles); Stanley's "Jewish Church," volume iii. (for summary of men and events); Conder's "Judas Maccabæus" (for topography); Church's "The Hammer" (for local color, customs, etc.); Riggs' "Jewish People."