Category:Alexander Jannaeus (subject)
Alexander Jannaeus (2nd-1st century BCE), son of John Hyrcanus, was a member of the Hasmonean dynasty.
Overview
Alexander Jannaeus was the son of John Hyrcanus, and the younger brother of Aristobulus. Imprisoned in 104 BCE by his own brother, he was freed and married by Aristobulus' widow, Salome Alexandra, and became the new High Priest and King in 103 BCE.
During his long reign, which lasted until 76 BCE, Alexander Jannaues largely expanded the boundaries of the Hasmonean kingdom, including the Golan Hights (Where Gamala was established as the new administrative capital of the region) and the coastal cities of Raphia, Anthedon, Dor, etc. (with the only exception of Ascalon). Alexander Jannaeus finally destroyed Gaza gaining control of the Mediterranean outlet for the trade routes of the Nabateans.
According to Jewish sources, the power of Alexander Jannaeus was internally challenged by the Pharisees. When after the fall of Gaza, the Nabatean king Obodas I attacked and defeated Alexander Jannaeus in northern Galilee, a series of riots arose in Judea against the Hasmonean king. Alexander Jannaeus was ruthless in suppressing the revolt, which lasted years. According to Josephus, at the end Alexander Jannaeus crucified 800 rebels in Jerusalem, killing their wives and children before their eyes, while the king was eating ate with his concubines.
The situation was so tense that at the death of Alexander Jannaeus, his wife Salome Alexandra took the title of Queen for herself while appointing his son John Hyrcanus II as the New High Priest, in an overt attempt to compromise.
Alexander Jannaeus in ancient sources
Alexander Jannaeus in Scholarship
Alexander Jannaeus in Fiction
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Pages in category "Alexander Jannaeus (subject)"
The following 4 pages are in this category, out of 4 total.