The Chanukah Map
Sites of the Maccabees 166-161 BCE

1. Maaleh Levona:
A steep rise between Shechem and Beit El. Here Judah Maccabee defeated Apollonius, the Samaria commander

2. Beit El Hills (Gofna Hills):
A divided ridge of mountains north of Jerusalem, where the Hashmonaim sought refuge when they fled Modi'in. This was Judah Maccabee's primary command center.

3. Mount Baal Hatzor:
A mountain east of Beit El. This was where Judah Maccabee was defeated for the second time; his force was routed and he fell in battle.

4. Givon Valley:
A valley north of Jerusalem (between the Jerusalem Hills and Beit El Hills). This is where Judah Maccabee defeated Nicanor.

5. The Temple Mount:
Site of the Holy Temple. Judah Maccabee purified the defiled Temple and restored the service there. Chanuka commemorates this event.

6. Beit Zacharia:
(Today Hirbet Zakaria, near the town of Elazar). This is where Judah Maccabee suffered his first defeat and his brother Elazar fell battling the elephants.

7. Beit Tzur:
A Jewish town north of Hebron (today Karmei Tzur). From here, the defeated army of Lysias retreated back to Syria.

8. Ayalon Valley:
A valley that stretches to the west of the Jerusalem Hills. Here Judah Maccabee defeated Gorgias's large army.

9. Beit Horon Ascent:
A steep slope between Modi'in and Jerusalem. Here Judah Maccabee defeated Seron.

10. Modi'in:
The hometown of Mattityahu and his sons, where the rebellion against the Greeks began.