The Seleucidan Era (see page 28) was now given up with the Seleucidan sway, and the reckoning of years began anew from 142 with the accession of Simon as High Priest, Commander of the Army and Prince of the Nation. This marked again the independence of Judah, that had been lost since the year 600 B.C.E., when Nebuchadrezzar overthrew Jerusalem and its Temple and took the Jews into Babylonian exile.
Notes and References.
Calendar:
In the Jewish calendar to-day time is reckoned from the traditional year of the world's creation.
Independence:
Fighting first against the oppression of an overlord and winning independence as an unexpected outcome—has many historic parallels. In this way the American colonies threw off their allegiance to Great Britain in 1776.
Half Shekel, Simon Maccabeus, 141-135 B. C. E.
The issuing of coins marked one of the rights of Judea's independence. See illustrations of these coins, some of which are still in existence.