Aristobulus II
Aristobulus II | |
---|---|
King and High Priest of Judaea | |
Promptuarii Iconum Insigniorum | |
King of Judaea | |
Reign | c. 66 – 63 BCE |
Predecessor | Hyrcanus II |
Successor | Antigonus II Mattathias |
High Priest of Judaea | |
Reign | c. 66 – 63 BCE |
Predecessor | Hyrcanus II |
Successor | Hyrcanus II |
Died | c. 49 BCE |
Issue | Antigonus II Mattathias Alexander of Judaea Alexandra the Hasmonean |
Dynasty | Hasmonean |
Father | Alexander Jannaeus |
Mother | Salome Alexandra |
Aristobulus II (
Family
Aristobulus was the younger son of Alexander Jannaeus, King and High Priest, and Salome Alexandra. After the death of Alexander in 76 BCE, his widow succeeded to the rule of Judea and installed her elder son Hyrcanus II as High Priest in 73 BCE.[1] When Salome died in 67 BCE, Hyrcanus succeeded to the kingship as well.
Aristobulus shared his late father's views on religion and politics. He entertained designs upon the throne, even during the life of his mother. He courted the nobles and military party by constituting himself the patron of the Sadducees and bringing their cause before the queen. The many fortresses which the queen placed at the disposal of the Sadducees, ostensibly for their defense against the Pharisees, constituted in reality one of the preparatory moves of Aristobulus for the usurpation of the government. The queen sought to direct his military zeal outside Judea, and sent him (70-69) against Ptolemy Mennaeus; but when the undertaking failed, Aristobulus resumed his political intrigues. He left Jerusalem secretly and betook himself to his friends, who controlled the largest number of fortified places, with the intention of making war against his aged mother. But the queen died at the critical moment, and he immediately turned his weapons against his brother Hyrcanus, the legitimate heir to the throne.[2]
Rebellion
Hyrcanus seemed to be sympathetic to the Sadducees just like his father Alexander Jannaeus. Aristobulus rebelled against his elder brother. Because of this conflict, the Pharisees seemed to be in a vulnerable position at this time.[3]
Hyrcanus advanced against Aristobulus at the head of his
Hyrcanus took refuge in the citadel of
This agreement however did not last, as Antipater the Idumaean convinced Hyrcanus that Aristobulus was planning his death and to take refuge with Aretas III, King of the Nabataeans. The Nabataeans advanced toward Jerusalem with an army of 50,000 and besieged the city for several months.
Roman intervention
During this civil war, the Roman general
As the
When Pompey arrived in Syria in 63 BCE, both brothers and a third party that desired the removal of the entire dynasty, sent their delegates to Pompey, who however delayed the decision. He favoured Hyrcanus II over Aristobulus II, deeming the elder, weaker brother a more reliable ally of the Roman Empire.
Pompey defeated the Jewish armies in multiple battles, and took the fortresses of Judea. Aristobulus and his sons
Aristobulus II escaped in 57 BCE, instigating rebellion against Rome in Judea, until he was finally holed up by
Taken prisoner, Aristobulus was released by Julius Caesar in 49 BCE in order to turn Judea against Pompey. He was on his way to Judaea with his son Alexander, when "he was taken off by poison given him by those of Pompey's party".[6] His son Alexander was beheaded by the Roman commander Scipio at Antioch.[7]
His son
See also
- Hasmonean coinage
- Siege of Jerusalem (disambiguation), list of sieges for, and battles of, Jerusalem
References
- ^ Year based upon Josephus (Antiquities 14.1.2), where, in the original Greek, is written: "Hyrcanus began his high priesthood on the third year of the hundred and seventy seventh Olympiad..., when presently Aristobulus began to make war against him." The 177th Olympiad corresponded with the 238th year of the Seleucid era, or what was then 73 BCE.
- ^ Richard Gottheil; Louis Ginzberg (1901–1906). "Aristobulus II". In Singer, Isidore; et al. (eds.). The Jewish Encyclopedia. New York: Funk & Wagnalls.
- ISBN 9004245146p90
- ^ Schürer, "Gesch." i. 291, note 2
- ^ Plutarch "Makers of Rome" p. 272, trans by Ian Scott-Kilvert, Penguin Classics.
- ^ Josephus, Jewish Wars 1 9:1 (184).
- ^ Josephus, Jewish Wars 1 9:2 (185).