The eight candles lit for Hanukkah are said to represent miracles, the most notable being about some long-lasting oil. The royal Hasmonean family wanted to celebrate the Maccabean victory by lighting a menorah. They had enough oil to last only one day. Allegedly, and miraculously, eight days later, the oil finally ran out.

Bollocks and ballyhoo.

One rational explanation for longer lasting candle light is slower burning wicks. Another is that there was actually more oil than the tale tells. Yet another explanation is that they did not let the candles burn all night. One more solution is that rabbis lied.

The military success and glorification of the Maccabeans posed a threat to Roman rule (think riots). By making up a miracle, public attention was shifted from rabble rousing to piety.