Aristobulus III of Judea
Aristobulus III (53–36 BCE) was the last scion of the Hasmonean royal house, brother of Herod the Great's wife Mariamne, and grandson of Hyrcanus II and Aristobulus II. He was a favourite of the people on account of his noble descent and handsome presence, and thus became an object of fear to Herod, who at first sought to ignore him entirely by debarring him from the high priesthood. But his mother Alexandra, through intercession with Cleopatra and Mark Antony, compelled Herod to remove Ananelus from the office of high priest and appoint Aristobulus instead.[1]
To secure himself against danger from Aristobulus, Herod instituted a system of espionage against him and his mother. This surveillance proved so onerous that they sought to gain their freedom by taking refuge with Cleopatra. As told by the Roman Jewish historian Josephus, their plans were betrayed, and the disclosure had the effect of greatly increasing Herod's suspicions against his brother-in-law. As Herod dared not resort to open violence, he caused him to be drowned while he was bathing in a pool in Jericho during a banquet organized by Alexandra.[2]
See also
- Hashmonean coinage
References
Aristobulus III of Israel House of Asamoneus Died: 36 BC | ||
Jewish titles | ||
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Preceded by Ananelus | High Priest of Jerusalem 36 BC | Succeeded by |
- v
- t
- e
dynasty
to the
Jewish Revolt
- Ananelus
- Aristobulus III
- Ananelus (restored)
- Jesus, son of Fabus
- Simon ben Boethus
- Matthias ben Theophilus
- Joazar ben Boethus
- Eleazar ben Boethus
- Joshua ben Sie
- Joazar ben Boethus (restored)
- Annas
- Ishmael ben Fabus
- Eleazar ben Ananus
- Simon ben Camithus
- Caiaphas
- Jonathan ben Ananus
- Theophilus ben Ananus
- Simon Cantatheras ben Boethus
- Matthias ben Ananus
- Elioneus ben Simon Cantatheras
- Jonathan ben Ananus (restored)
- Josephus ben Camydus
- Ananias son of Nedebeus
- Jonathan
- Ishmael ben Fabus
- Joseph Cabi ben Simon
- Ananus ben Ananus
- Jesus son of Damneus
- Joshua ben Gamla
- Mattathias ben Theophilus
- Phannias ben Samuel