Simon Gains Independence and Takes the Citadel

Tryphon deceived the young King Antiochus, killed him, and ruled in his place. He put on the crown of Asia and brought great trouble on the land. At that time Simon strengthened the strongholds of Judea with towers, walls, gates, bars, and stores of food.

Simon chose men and sent them to King Demetrius, asking for immunity for the country because Tryphon had been plundering. Demetrius answered with peace. He released them from tribute, confirmed earlier arrangements, allowed Simon to keep the strongholds, and ended further tax collection from Jerusalem.

The writer says that in the one hundred seventieth year, the yoke of the Gentiles was taken away from Israel. People began to date their documents from the first year of Simon, calling him the great high priest and the captain and leader of the Jews.

Simon then camped against Gazara. He surrounded it with troops, brought up a siege engine, struck a tower, and captured it. After a great uproar, the people of the city begged for mercy. Simon stopped fighting them, expelled them, removed the idols and uncleanness, and placed in the city men who would keep the law.

The people in the citadel at Jerusalem were cut off from the country and from buying and selling, and many died from famine. They also asked Simon for terms. He expelled them and cleansed the citadel. Then he entered it with praise and music, strengthened the hill of the temple beside it, made his son John leader of all his forces, and had him live in Gazara.

In the next year, Demetrius gathered forces and went into Media to seek help for war against Tryphon. But Arsaces, king of Persia and Media, sent a prince to capture him alive. Demetrius was seized and brought to Arsaces, who kept him under guard.