#maccabeus

Today is his -450th birthday!

Well-respected and deeply religious, Maccabeus overcame prejudice within the ranks of the Covenant when he became one of the few Jiralhanae shipmasters.

Maccabeus discovered the human colony of Harvest while following a lead to find a Forerunner reliquary. He was one of the first leaders to attempt a diplomatic relationship with humanity, in part because he was awestruck at the indication that Harvest contained thousands of Forerunner relics.

Diplomacy failed when an Unggoy broke rank and killed a human. In the events that followed, Maccabeus was ordered to eradicate the humans, beginning the Human-Covenant war. Horrified at the prospect of desecrating a Forerunner site, he continued to search for relics.

♡ COMMISSIONS OPEN ♡

GUYS GUYS GUYS

CASTOR IS BACK

who is castor? ONLY THE BEST JIRALHANAE CHARACTER SINCE MACCABEUS

lydus man, i think you’re great and all but i’m sorry, you are outclassed here

Like Atriox is really cool as a character, an “upgrade” so to speak on Tartarus, as they’re both villains whose threat comes from their physical power and aggression, but we see Atriox’s motivations and cunning a lot more than Tartarus, who is mainly just bloodthirsty. Essentially, they both play to the “Brute” stereotype in a large manner. Tartarus is the quintessential Brute, Atriox is a quintessential Brute with a few more layers added on. (Hekabe thinks he’s an Atriox, but he’s more of an iso-Tartarus...)

I think all of them are good, even great characters, especially in the context in which each of them are placed in the Halo narrative

BUT the holy trinity of Maccabeus, Castor, and Lydus...

These are Jiralhanae that, while they still are feared warriors that are physically powerful, the focus of their character and/or threat is in their values. These are characters who aren’t defined by the magnitude of their cruelty or physical prowess.

Lydus’ main role in his one appearance is as a diplomat wary of the Arbiter’s offer of peace because it could be another exploitation gambit against his people.

Castor’s role is more military-based, as he’s leading an assault on a UNSC colony, but what makes him a threat is the fact that he understands people and he uses diplomacy to manipulate or put them off-guard. And then, in a critical moment, he does what none of the other characters, even the heroes of the story end up doing: respecting the Huragok’s agency.

And then Maccabeus, ho boi, this boy... like how can I list the ways this guy is the best Jiralhanae? Um... because this is a post to celebrate Castor’s return, I’m just gonna link to my thoughts on this boy so it doesn’t overshadow poor Castor...

So... I honestly believe Dadab and Lighter Than Some could have convinced Maccabeus to fully rebel against the Prophets RIGHT AT THE START OF THE WAR. And not even for Thel freaking ‘Vadam’s reason of personal betrayal either.

Both Dadab and Maccabeus are very devout, highly defined by their faith in the Forerunners and the Covenant religion. Maccabeus already had doubts about the Prophets’ “wipe them out, all of them,” order, though it was more so about the supposed Forerunner artifacts than it was for human lives.

He also seemed to have a degree of respect for Dadab - not a whole lot, but some, which considering the role of Unggoy in the Covenant, that’s a big deal. Were Dadab to share with Maccabeus the reason that Lighter Than Some gave him for rebelling (which DOES involve human lives), I think it would be that last push for the shipmaster into open defiance of the Covenant.

Stanton Feng • "Old works for Halo encyclopedia. Maccabeus"

Senior Concept artist and illustrator

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