Alexander the Great with his army had conquered the gigantic Persian empire, and after his death in Babylon the empire was divided between his generals, which brought about a long period of warfare in the Middle East until the arrival of the Roman empire.
Alexander's successors, of Greek origin, were not characterized by religious toleration like the Persian Achaemenid dynasty, and tried to impose hellenism on their kingdoms; in some countries, hellenism merged peacefully, but not in others.
The history of the Maccabean dynasty in the Middle East was the fight against the oppression of the tyrants who succeeded Alexander. Thus began religious oppression and the consequent revolution in the Judean region: "Then the king wrote to his whole kingdom that all should be one people, and abandon their particular customs" 1 Maccabees 1:41.
The revolt against the Seleucid dynasty began with the priest Mattathias, and then this priest was followed by his sons, who gave rise to the Maccabean dynasty.
The first book of the Maccabees leaves us especially, the spiritual testament that the priest Mattathias left to his children before died, so that they would be blessed by the wise Lord and succeed in their actions, this testament is an example of spiritual determination in the face of oppression and injustice, and a reminder that the Law of Moses should not be forgotten, the priest Mattathias especially taught that only God should be feared and not powerful men, the decisions of men are temporary but the decisions of God are eternal:
"And so, consider this from generation to generation,
that none who hope in Heaven shall fail in strength.
Do not fear the words of sinners,
for their glory ends in corruption and worms.
Today exalted, tomorrow not to be found,
they have returned to dust,
their schemes have perished.
Children! be courageous and strong in keeping the law,
for by it you shall be honored" 1 Maccabees 2:61-64.