From the Book “Simon assembled the council of elders, and showed great wisdom, when proclaimed sovereign pontiff by the nation, his • rst act was the military occupation of Joppa, whose annexation to Judea was still so uncertain. Tryphon was roaming about northern Palestine, dragging after him in his train his unfortunate prisoner. Simon intercepted him by a skilful march at Adida. Tryphon demanded a ransom for Jonathan of one hundred talents, and his two sons as hostages. . . . “Simon sent men to search the body of his brother of his brother and laid it to rest at Modin, beside those of Mattathiah and Judas Maccabeus. He already had in mind the erection of a magni• cent monument over those illustrious dead, but the project was not carried out till later. . . . This year, one hundred and seventy of the dynasty of the Seleucidae (143-142 B.C.), was considered by the Jews as the year of their independence. It was resolved that all public and private acts should thus be dated:— “The year . . . under Simon, High-Priest, the Governor and Leader of the Jews. . . . ” Keywords: History of the People in Israel Vol. 5, Israel, History of the Jews, Joppa, Judea, Tryphon, 143-142B.C., Governor and leader of the Jews,

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