1 Maccabees 12:1-3

New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised Catholic Edition

Alliances with Rome and Sparta

12 Now when Jonathan saw that the time was favourable for him, he chose men and sent them to Rome to confirm and renew the friendship with them. ² He also sent letters to the same effect to the Spartans and to other places. ³ So they went to Rome and entered the senate chamber and said, ‘The high priest Jonathan and the Jewish nation have sent us to renew the former friendship and alliance with them.’