Emmaus, or Nicopolis
Archimandrite Nikifor’s Biblical Encyclopedia
(1 Macc. 3:40) — a city in the Shephelah, at the foot of the hills of Judah, 22 Roman miles from Jerusalem and 10 from Lydda. Near this city Judas Maccabeus won a celebrated victory over Gorgias, the Syrian commander. In Christian times there was a bishopric here; the ruins of an ancient Christian church have survived to the present day. Today it is called Amwas, or Amoas. This city must not be confused either with the Emmaus of the Gospel of Luke (24:13) or with Emmaus of Tiberias. See Emmaus.