Antigonus II Mattathias

Antigonus II Mattathias medal

Antigonus II Mattathias was the last Hasmonean ruler of Judea. His reign, from 40 BCE to 37 BCE, marked the end of the Hasmonean dynasty's independence, culminating in the consolidation of Roman control over Judea. Antigonus II Mattathias was a figure of significant historical importance, whose attempts to regain and maintain Jewish sovereignty faced formidable challenges, ultimately leading to his downfall and execution by the Romans.

Early Life

Antigonus was a member of the Hasmonean dynasty, a lineage that had led a successful Jewish revolt against the Seleucid Empire in the 2nd century BCE, establishing an independent Jewish kingdom. He was the son of King Aristobulus II of Judea, making him a direct descendant of Mattathias, the initiator of the Maccabean Revolt, and his famous son Judas Maccabeus.

Rise to Power

Antigonus's quest for the throne was marked by the complex political and military landscape of the time, characterized by internal Jewish rivalries and the overarching power struggles of the Roman Republic. His primary rival was his uncle Hyrcanus II, who was supported by the influential Jewish figure Antipater the Idumaean and his sons, including Herod the Great, who would eventually become one of Judea's most famous rulers under Roman patronage.

Antigonus sought support from the Parthian Empire, a major power in the Near East and a rival to Rome. With Parthian assistance, he managed to capture Jerusalem and proclaim himself king and high priest, a title of significant religious and political importance in Judean society.

Reign and Downfall

During his reign, Antigonus II Mattathias faced the formidable task of consolidating his power while fending off Roman efforts to restore Hyrcanus II and later, to install Herod the Great as king of Judea. His rule was marked by ongoing conflict, both military and political.

The turning point came when the Roman general Mark Antony, who had been given authority over the eastern provinces of the Roman Republic, decided to intervene decisively in Judea. Antony, influenced by Herod and his Roman supporters, besieged Jerusalem. In 37 BCE, after a prolonged siege, the city fell to Roman and Herodian forces. Antigonus was captured and subsequently executed by the Romans, marking the end of Hasmonean rule and the beginning of Herodian rule under Roman oversight.

Legacy

The reign of Antigonus II Mattathias is often seen as the last gasp of independent Jewish rule in Judea until the modern era. His efforts to restore Hasmonean sovereignty are remembered as a valiant, if ultimately doomed, attempt to resist the encroaching power of Rome. The fall of Jerusalem and the execution of Antigonus marked a significant turning point in Jewish history, leading to the Herodian dynasty's rule and later, the Roman province of Judea, which would be the setting for the emergence of Christianity.

His legacy is also marked by the end of the Hasmonean dynasty, which had been a symbol of Jewish independence and religious dedication since the Maccabean Revolt. The story of Antigonus II Mattathias reflects the complex interplay of internal Jewish politics and the broader geopolitical struggles of the ancient Near East.