The Battle of Adasa was fought in 13th of the month Adar, 161 BC at Adasa (Hebrew: חדשה‎), near Beth-horon, between the Maccabees of Judas Maccabeus and the Seleucid Empire, whose army was led by Nicanor. Maccabeus won this battle, while Nicanor was killed. For a few years this day was celebrated as the "Day of Nicanor" (13th of Adar) to commemorate this victory. Despite the victory, within less than a year Judas Maccabeus was defeated and killed, fighting the Seleucids at Elasa.