A depiction of a Maccabee's shield and two spears hanging on a wall. Battle worn and rusty, but still serviceable. The shield is adorned by a lion and text reading "Yisrael" (Israel) in the Paleo-Hebrew alphabet. "Chanukkah Sameach" (Happy Chanukkah) also appears. Add your own text. The Maccabees were Jewish rebels who freed Judea from the yoke of the Seleucid Empire. Chanukkah is not just a mid-winter festival featuring candles and fried delicacies. it celebrates a military victory, and securing religious freedom, over the Seleucid Empire. Additionally, the revolt was a civil war involving those Jews who were loyal to G-d and those who had adopted the Hellenism of the Seleucids.