You forgo to mention that the Rabbis couldn't wipe out Channu4kah, another celebration of Hasmonean might, so they simply subverted it.
Also it's not really once in seven years, because the calendar is jiggered so that there are some days that some (more major) holidays can't fall on. I don't know what actual the frequency of Purim falling on Sunday is, though.
I love your description of the Hasmoneans, though. You left out the bit where they gained territory by providing mercenaries to a later Selucid ruler, before declaring themselves independant... but I guess you have to stop somewhere...
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Also it's not really once in seven years, because the calendar is jiggered so that there are some days that some (more major) holidays can't fall on. I don't know what actual the frequency of Purim falling on Sunday is, though.
I love your description of the Hasmoneans, though. You left out the bit where they gained territory by providing mercenaries to a later Selucid ruler, before declaring themselves independant... but I guess you have to stop somewhere...