Hasmonei
Israel- The Hasmonean Dynasty
- The Maccabean Revolt
- Era of Expansion
- Reign of Simon
- Reign of Hyrcanus I
- Rise of the Second Jewish Kingdom
- Reign of Alexander Jannaeus
- Civil War and Roman Intervention
- End of the Hasmonean Kingdom
The Hasmonean Dynasty
Origins of the HasmoneansThe Hasmonean dynasty originated in the village of Modiin, where the priest Mattathias and his sons lived. In 167 BCE, during the reign of Antiochus IV Epiphanes, the Seleucid king of Syria, the Hasmoneans resisted the king's attempt to impose Greek religious practices on the Jews.
The Maccabean Revolt
Mattathias led a revolt against the Seleucids, and under the leadership of his son Judas Maccabeus, the Hasmoneans achieved a series of victories. They recaptured Jerusalem in 165 BCE and established a Jewish state independent from Seleucid rule.
Era of Expansion
Under the leadership of Judas Maccabeus and later his brothers Jonathon and Simon, the Hasmoneans expanded their territory and strengthened their state. They conquered neighboring lands and besieged the Seleucid fortress in Jerusalem.
Reign of Simon
Simon, who became high priest in 142 BCE, expanded the boundaries of the Jewish kingdom and abolished Seleucid rule. He captured the Jerusalem fortress and established a strong central authority.
Reign of Hyrcanus I
Hyrcanus, the son of Simon, ruled from 134 to 104 BCE. He conquered neighboring territories and expanded his kingdom's influence. He also formed an alliance with the Seleucid king Antiochus VII.
Rise of the Second Jewish Kingdom
Aristobulus I, the son of Hyrcanus, established the Second Jewish Kingdom, which lasted from 104 to 63 BCE. He conquered Iturea and forced its inhabitants to accept Jewish law.
Reign of Alexander Jannaeus
Alexander Jannaeus, the brother of Aristobulus, ruled from 103 to 76 BCE. He expanded the kingdom's borders, but faced internal rebellions and the invasion of the Nabatean king Obodas I.
Civil War and Roman Intervention
After Alexander's death, his widow Alexandra Salome ruled as queen until 67 BCE. Her son Hyrcanus II became high priest. However, a civil war broke out between Hyrcanus and his brother Aristobulus II. The Romans intervened, led by Pompey, and in 63 BCE, they besieged Jerusalem and captured Aristobulus.
End of the Hasmonean Kingdom
Pompey ended the Hasmonean dynasty and installed Hyrcanus II as high priest. The Jewish kingdom was diminished in size, and many cities outside its borders were granted independence. Aristobulus later rebelled against Roman rule but was defeated. The Hasmonean kingdom, which had lasted over a century, was finally abolished.
