Greek Seleucids ruled the Land of Israel during the 2nd century B.C. Their pagan culture and foreign ways placed them in direct conflict with the Jewish population. Though difficult life went on, until Antiochus IV called "Epipanes" took over the reigns of the Empire. He banned Jewish practices and, since he believed that he was a god in human form, he expected the populace to worship before his statues.

When his soldiers of Antiochus attempted to make the Jews sacrifice a pig on an altar. Tension exploded into a countrywide revolt. Leading the revolt were the five sons of Mattathias, a priest who lied in Modi’in, a village of the Shephela.

Aware that they couldn’t possibly overcome the Greeks with conventional military tactics, the rebels adopted guerilla strategies and managed to destroy one Seleucid army after another. The revolt culminated in the purification and rededication of the Temple, and the rebirth of an independent Jewish kingdom in the Promised Land. Every year Jews all over the world celebrate this victory with the holiday of Hanukkah, [John 10].

Monumental tombs were built in Modi’in, or the death of each warrior brother. Tombs uncovered in the region have been traditionally held to be the tombs of the Maccabees. Probable because of a motion when calling people to fight, one of the sour (Judas) took the title "the Hasmonians" (Maccabee).