Israel always has been hated by its larger neighbors. The Exodus, Joshua's invasion of Canaan, Israel's worship of only one God, condemning idol worship of their neighbors' gods all caused immediate hatred; anti-Semitism. This spread throughout the world and centuries. This book covers the last two centuries BC of that hate history. The ruling Seleucid dynasty persecuted Israel attempting to eradicate Judaism. Mattathias and his five sons, the Maccabees, successfully revolted to save their religion and the Temple. Then their descendents, not so religiously minded, ruled and expanded the Hasmonean Dynasty until its demise under the Romans and Herod.