Aristobulus II

Aristobulus II medal

Aristobulus II was a Jewish High Priest and King of Judea from the Hasmonean dynasty, reigning from 66 to 63 BCE. He was the son of Alexander Jannaeus and Salome Alexandra, and his reign was marked by internal and external conflicts, ultimately leading to the Roman intervention in Judean affairs.

Early Life

Aristobulus was born into the Hasmonean dynasty, a ruling family in Judea that had risen to prominence under his grandfather, John Hyrcanus. His early life was shaped by the political and religious turmoil of the period, as his father, Alexander Jannaeus, expanded the kingdom's borders through military campaigns and faced opposition from the Pharisees.

Reign

Upon the death of his mother, Salome Alexandra, in 67 BCE, Aristobulus II inherited the throne. His mother's reign had been marked by relative peace and prosperity, as she had managed to balance the factions within the kingdom, namely the Pharisees and the Sadducees, with whom Aristobulus was closely aligned.

Aristobulus' rule was characterized by his attempts to consolidate power and expand the kingdom's borders. However, his reign was quickly challenged by his brother, Hyrcanus II, who was supported by the Pharisees and sought the throne for himself. This rivalry led to a civil war in Judea, weakening the kingdom and making it vulnerable to external threats.

Conflict with Rome

The internal strife within Judea caught the attention of the Roman Republic, which was expanding its influence in the Eastern Mediterranean. The Roman general Pompey the Great was invited by the opposing factions within Judea to intervene in the conflict. In 63 BCE, Pompey besieged and captured Jerusalem, putting an end to Aristobulus II's reign and taking him prisoner. This event marked the beginning of Roman dominance over Judea, which would last for several centuries.

Legacy

Aristobulus II's reign is often seen as the beginning of the end for the Hasmonean dynasty. His inability to maintain unity within Judea and to fend off Roman intervention had lasting consequences for the region. The Hasmonean kingdom was significantly diminished, and Judea became a client state of Rome, eventually leading to the Herodian dynasty and the further loss of Jewish sovereignty in the region.

Death

After being taken prisoner by Pompey, Aristobulus II was eventually released but remained a political prisoner in Rome. He attempted to escape and regain his throne but was captured and executed by the Romans. His death marked the definitive end of his reign and significantly weakened the Hasmonean dynasty's hold on Judea.