Hasmonean dynasty

The Hasmonean dynasty was a family that led the Hasmoneans led the Maccabean Revolt and transformed Judah from a Seleucid possession that was becoming more Greek-like into an independent, Jewish nation-state. The Hasmoneans expanded Judah through conquest.

History

After the Salome Alexandra's death in 67 B.C., Salome's sons Hyrcanus II, who was backed by Antipater (the father of Herod the Great), and Aristobulus II fought for control of the Judah. The Roman Pompey entered the conflict on Hyrcanus' side. Aristobulus surrendered to the Romans and was sent to Rome, where he was later executed.

In 40 B.C., the Parthian Empire and Aristobulus' son Antigonus II invaded Judah and captured Hyrcanus. The Romans then proclaimed Antipater's son Herod king of Judea. The Romans defeated the Parthians and captured and killed Antigonus, the last ruler of the Hasmonean dynasty. The Hasmonean leaders often fought among themselves for power. They also combined religious and political power, with some rulers serving as kings and high priests.

Hasmonean Dynasty Media

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  Family tree of the Hasmonean dynasty

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  At the beginning of the second century BC, the Seleucid Empire (in yellow) expanded into Judea at the expense of the Ptolemaic Kingdom (blue).

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  Wojciech Stattler's Machabeusze (Maccabees), 1844

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  Tetradrachm with portrait of Antiochus IV. Reverse shows Zeus seated on a throne. The Greek inscription reads ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ ΘΕΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΝΙΚΗΦΟΡΟΥ (of King Antiochus, God Manifest, Bringer of Victory).

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  Mattathias of Modi'in killing a Jewish apostate, engraving by Gustave Doré

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  Palestine at the time of the Maccabees according to George Adam Smith

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  Simon Maccabee Made High Priest from Die Bibel in Bildern

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  JUDAEA, Hasmoneans. John Hyrcanus I (Yehohanan). 135–104 BC. Æ Prutah (13mm, 2.02 gm, 12h). "Yehohanan the High Priest and the Council of the Jews" (in Hebrew) in five lines within wreath / Double cornucopiae adorned with ribbons; pomegranate between horns; small A to lower left. Meshorer Group B, 11; Hendin 457.

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  Coin of Alexander Jannaeus, BCE 103-76