Celebrating the New Year

First Julian Calendar 

Celebrating the new year has been a tradition since the time of the ancient Babylonians. However, the new year was always observed on the first day of spring. In those times, spring was thought to be the most important time of year, as this was the beginning of the planting cycle. It wasn’t until 153 BC that January 1st was deemed the first day of the year by the Romans. Each emperor would change certain days and by the time of Julius Caesar, the calendar was so messed up that it took a full 445 days to rectify the problem. In the middle ages, January 1st was still seen as the first day of the year, but wasn’t celebrated because church officials saw it as a pagan holiday. Western civilizations have only been celebrating the coming of the new year for the past 400 years.

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The Hasmonean Dynasty

Around 167 BC, the King Antiochus IV forbade the Jewish people from performing their religious ceremonies. A Jewish priest called Mattathias the Hasmonean, refused to accept the Greek gods and with his four sons, began what became known as the Maccabean Revolt. After his death, his son, Judah Maccabee led an army against the reigning Seleucid dynasty, gained victory, and is now celebrated every year at Hanukkah. Judas Maccabee died in a battle in 160 BC and was succeeded by his brother, Jonathan, who already held the office of high priest. Jonathan died in 142 BC, leaving his only surviving brother, Simon. At this same time, Demetrius II of Syria gave the Jewish people political independence. Simon Maccabee founded the Hasmonean dynasty that lasted until 37 BC, when King Herod the Great took the throne.
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