Mattathias is accorded a central role in the story of Hanukkah and, as a result, is named in the Al HaNissim prayer Jews add to the Birkat Hamazon (grace after meals) and the Amidah during the festival's eight days.

[3] Josephus adds the name of Asamonaius to this lineage in both his accounts, and though later rabbinic sources mention Hasmonai as a specific person,[6] "Asmonaius" or "Hasmonean" was probably meant as a family title.

The accounts of 1 Maccabees and Josephus largely agree in their description of the oppressive laws the Hellenistic administration enforced on the Jewish religion, and the role Mattathias played in opposing them.

[2] In 168–167 BCE, a series of Seleucid persecutions of traditional Judaism began, spearheaded by King Antiochus IV Epiphanes and possibly High Priest Menelaus as well.

Mattathias, being an esteemed member of the community, was asked to serve as an example and lead the village in the sacrifice to the pagan deities, while being promised riches and the prestigious title of "Friend of the King" in return.

Beginning with the invasion of Jerusalem by Ptolemy I Soter,[13] a number of incidents are documented in the writings of Josephus and in the books of the Maccabees, in which Jewish fighters refrained from combat and even sacrificed their lives in the face of the enemy so as not to desecrate the Sabbath.