Battle of Elasa

Battle of Elasa
Part of the Maccabean Revolt
A rough reconstruction of the line of Bacchides' march (red line) in his second expedition
Date April 160 BCE (Nisan) Location Elasa, near modern-day Ramallah Result Seleucid victory
Belligerents
Seleucid Empire	Maccabean rebels
Commanders and leaders
Bacchides	Judas Maccabeus †
Strength
20,000 infantry 2,000 cavalry	800–1,000 soldiers? (ancient sources) Unknown (modern sources)
Casualties and losses
Unknown	Heavy

The Battle of Elasa was fought in April 160 BCE during the Maccabean Revolt between Judean rebels led by Judas Maccabeus (Judah Maccabee) and an army of the Seleucid Empire under the command of Bacchides. The battle resulted in the triumph of the Greek Syrian forces, the defeat of the Maccabees, and the death of Judas Maccabeus.

The leadership of the Maccabees passed to Judas's brother Jonathan Apphus (Yonatan), who continued to fight against Bacchides for the remainder of 160 BCE. The Seleucids largely triumphed; control of the cities was restored to them, including Jerusalem, hostages of important Jewish families were taken, and Greek-aligned garrisons were placed around Judea. Despite this setback, unrest continued in the countryside. The Hasmonean sons of Mattathias continued to oppose the government in the following eight years, and eventually succeeded in gaining allies both among Seleucid rulers and the Romans that would allow for autonomy. Judas's brother Simon Thassi established an independent Hasmonean kingdom in 142–141 BCE, fulfilling the goal of the Maccabees.