Editing 161 BC (section)

==== Seleucid Empire ====
* The rebel [[Seleucid]] general and ruler of [[Medes|Media]], [[Timarchus]], who has distinguished himself by defending Media against the emergent [[Parthia]]ns, treats [[Demetrius I Soter|Demetrius I's]] violent accession to the Seleucid throne as the excuse to declare himself an independent king and extend his realm from Media into [[Babylonia]].
* With the restoration of peace in [[Judea]], an internal struggle breaks out between the supporters of [[Judas Maccabeus]] and the [[Hellenistic civilization|Hellenic]] party. The influence of the Hellenic Party all but collapses in the wake of the Seleucid defeat.
* The [[Jew]]ish High Priest [[Menelaus (High Priest)|Menelaus]], who is supported by the Hellenist party, is removed from office and is executed. His successor is a moderate member of the Hellenic party, [[Alcimus]]. However, when Alcimus executes sixty Jews who are opposed to him, he finds himself in open conflict with the [[Maccabees]]. Alcimus flees from [[Jerusalem]] and goes to [[Damascus]] to ask the [[Seleucid]] king, [[Demetrius I Soter|Demetrius I]], for help.
* The Maccabees, led by [[Judas Maccabeus]], and a Seleucid army, led by the Seleucid general [[Nicanor (Seleucid general)|Nicanor]], fight the [[Battle of Adasa]], near [[Beth-horon]]. Maccabeus wins the battle and Nicanor is killed.