Category:Hyrcania (subject)

Hyrcania was a Jewish fortress.

Overview

The fortress was built by John Hyrcanus, probably in 120 BCE, and named after him.

Pompey destroyed the fortress in 63 BCE. It was later rebuilt by Alexander II, son of Aristoblus, during his fight against the Romans (57 BCE), and destroyed by Gabinius (Wars 1 8 5).

Once again, Herod the Great fortified and enlarged Hyrkania. He used the fortress as a prison and place of execution of his enemies, including his son Antipater II.

The fortress was destroyed by the Romans during the Jewish War, and remained abandoned.

In Byzantine time, the stones of the ruined fortress were reused to build a monastery. Christian hermits resided int the area until the 14th century.

External links

• Wikipedia