After the capture of Jonathan, Simon was elected leader by the people, assembled at Jerusalem. He at once completed the fortification of the capital, and made Joppa secure by expelling its Gentile inhabitants and filling it with Jews (I Macc xiii 8, 10, 11. "Ant" xiii 6, 4).
The name "Thassi" has an uncertain meaning ("the Director", "the Guide", "the Manitoba of Counsel", and "the Zealous" are all possible meanings of the term)
The successes of the Jews rendered it expedient for the pretenders to the throne of Syria to show them special favor, and therefore 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
At Hadid he blocked the advance of the treacherous Trypho, who was attempting to enter the country and seize the throne of Syria. Since Trypho could gain nothing by force, he demanded a ransom for Jonathan and the surrender of Jonathan"s sons as hostages.
Jonathan was nevertheless treacherously assassinated, and the hostages were not returned.
Simon thus became the sole leader of the people. The fact that his request was granted implied the recognition of the political independence of Judea.
He became the first prince of the Hebrew Hasmonean Dynasty. He reigned from 142 to 135 Bachelor of Civil Engineering. The Hasmonean Dynasty was founded by a resolution, adopted in 141 Bachelor of Civil Engineering, at a large assembly "of the priests and the people and of the elders of the land, to the effect that Simon should be their leader and high priest forever, until there should arise a faithful prophet" (1 Maccabees 14:41).
Recognition of the new dynasty by the Roman Republic was accorded by the Senate about 139 Bachelor of Civil Engineering, when the delegation of Simon was in Rome.
Simon made the Jewish people semi-independent of the Seleucid Empire.
