Battle of Beth Horon (166 BC)

Battle of Beth Horon
Part of Maccabean Revolt
Date 166 BC Location Beth-horon, ascent of Beit Horon Result Jewish victory
Belligerents
Judean rebels	Seleucid army
Commanders and leaders
Judas Maccabeus	Seron
Strength
1,000 men	4,000 men
Casualties and losses
Unknown	800

The Battle of Beth Horon was fought in 166 BC between Jewish forces led by Judas Maccabaeus and an army of the Seleucid Empire under the command of Seron.

The rebel army led by Judas Maccabeus was growing in strength. They had just inflicted a crushing defeat upon the Seleucid General Apollonius and now they faced the forces of the Syrian Governor Seron, who was widely overconfident. With Maccabeus' superior knowledge of the terrain, he prepared his forces to ambush the larger Seleucid force . Seron had anticipated this and spread out his force, but the Maccabees exhibited superior tactical skill by decimating the general's leading unit and killing Seron himself. With their leader dead, the shocked and disconcerted remnants of the Seleucid army took to the hills and ran.

The stubborn Seleucids refused to give up their slow phalanx-based tactics when compared to the lightweight and quick Maccabean militia thus always creating problems for them on the battlefield.

Another force was soon sent against Maccabaeus, which led to the Battle of Emmaus.

Coordinates: 31°53′08″N 35°06′55″E / 31.8855°N 35.1154°E / 31.8855; 35.1154

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