by hadassah | Apr 8, 2008 | The Hasmonean Dynasty
Alexander Janneus (103-76 B.C.E.) cruelly defeated his enemies and expanded the boundaries of the Hasmonean state. But his people revolted against him in a violent revolt which he cruelly suppressed. (356) When Alexander was delivered from his fear of Ptolemy, 44 he...
by hadassah | Apr 8, 2008 | The Hasmonean Dynasty
Josephus, Antiquities XIII, 301-23: The Reign of Aristobulus Aristobulus, who succeeded his father John Hyrcanus, reigned from 104 to 103 B.C.E. He was a tragic figure destroyed by his jealousy and suspicion. He serves as little more than a transitional figure...
by hadassah | Apr 8, 2008 | The Hasmonean Dynasty
Josephus, Antiquities XIII, 225-9: The Death of Simon Simon, who ruled from 142 to 134 B.C.E., successfully defended the Jews against Seleucid incursions later in his reign, only to fall victim to internecine strife in his own court. His son, John Hyrcanus,...
by hadassah | Apr 8, 2008 | The Hasmonean Dynasty
Maccabees 12-15: Jonathan’s Death and the Reign of Simon After the death of Jonathan in 143 B.C.E., the Hasmonean state was ruled by Simon. He succeeded in expelling the Seleucids from the citadel and in gaining an official charter from the Seleucid ruler,...
by hadassah | Apr 8, 2008 | The Hasmonean Dynasty
Josephus, Antiquities XIII, 179-83: The Ascendancy of Jonathan After receiving Seleucid recognition in 152 B.C.E., Jonathan began to do battle with the Nabatean Arabs and then turned to fortifying Jerusalem. (179) Jonathan went into Arabia and fought against...
by hadassah | Apr 8, 2008 | The Hasmonean Dynasty
Excerpted from Lawrence H. Schiffman, From Text to Tradition, Ktav Publishing House, Hoboken, NJ, 1991. By 152 B.C.E. Jonathan the Hasmonean had firmly established himself as ruler over Judea. From then until the Roman conquest of Judea in 63 B.C.E., the descendants...
