Category:House of Boethus (subject)

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The House of Boethus was a dynasty of Aaronites, which provided many High Priests during the Herodian and Roman period.

Overview

The House of Boethus was the one with the closest ties with the Herodians, while the Romans leaned toward the House of Annas. Over time, as the Herodians were more and more assimilated in the Roman Imperial administration, the rivalry between the two houses attenuated. King Herod Agrippa I appointed members of the two Houses alternatively every year. At the end, during the Jewish War, the leaders of the two Houses, Ananus ben Ananus of the House of Annas and Joshua ben Gamaliel of the House of Boethus, worked together to provide a moderate leadership to the revolt and perished together when the most radical elements prevailed.

The Boethusians seem to have been closely associated to the Sadducees, while ancient sources talk of a strong rivalry with the Pharisees (and the Zealots).