King of Israel: Simon Thassi

Simon and his brothers were waging successful war with the Seleuicds. Their successes made it expedient for the pretenders to the throne of Syria to show them special favor. Antiochus VI appointed Simon "strategus," or military commander, of the coast region from the Ladder of Tyre to Egypt. As strategus Simon conquered the cities of Beth-zur and Joppa, garrisoning them with Jewish troops, and built the fortress of Adida in the plain.

After the capture of his brother Jonathan, Simon was elected leader by the people assembled at Jerusalem. He completed the fortification of the capital, and made Joppa secure by expelling its Gentile inhabitants and filling it with Jews.  At Hadid he blocked the advance of his brother's captor, Trypho, who demanded a ransom for Jonathan and the surrender of Jonathan's sons as hostages. While Simon was fully aware that Trypho would deceive him, he acceded to both demands, so that the people might see that he had done everything possible for his brother. Despite this, Jonathan was assassinated, and the hostages were not returned. Simon thus became the sole leader and shortly thereafter became the first prince of the Hebrew Hasmonean Dynasty. 

The Hasmonean Dynasty was founded by a resolution, adopted in 141 BC, at a large assembly to the effect that Simon should be their leader and high priest until there should arise a faithful prophet. Recognition of the new dynasty by the Roman Republic was accorded by the Senate about 139 BC, when the delegation representing Simon was in Rome. Simon made the Jewish people semi-independent of the Seleucid Empire.

In February 135 BC,[1] Simon and his two sons Mattathias and Judah were assassinated at a banquet at Dok by his son-in-law Ptolemy, the Seleucid governor at Jericho. Simon's third son John Hyrcanus succeeded him to the high priesthood and rule over Israel .