Judas Maccabaeus (d. c.161 bc), Jewish leader. Leading a Jewish revolt in Judaea against Antiochus IV Epiphanes from around 167, he recovered Jerusalem and dedicated the Temple anew, and protected Judaism from Hellenization. He is the hero of the two books of the Maccabees in the Apocrypha.

Judas Maccabaeus. Oratorio by Handel to text by Rev. T. Morell based on biblical incidents. Comp. in summer of 1746 on commission from Frederick, Prince of Wales, to celebrate Eng. victory over Young Pretender at Culloden and return of victorious general, Duke of Cumberland, to London. (Part 3 contains ch. See the Conquering Hero Comes.) Prod. London 1747.