Eighth Hasmonean
ruler of Judea. The indolent older
son of Alexander
Jannai & Salome
Alexandra succeeded his
father as high priest (76 BCE),
while his mother retained at least nominal
control of political affairs. After her death (67
BCE) he was deposed by his
younger brother, Aristobulus,
but with the support of Antipater
he was restored to the high-priesthood after Roman forces wrested
control of Jerusalem
from his brother's aristocratic supporters (63
BCE). Yet he was
deprived of the title of "king" [basileus] by the
Roman general, Pompey,
who was opposed to monarchies in principle. He was deposed
(40 BCE)
by Aristobulus' son, Antigonus,
who mutilated him (which under Mosaic law disqualified him from
acting as priest) to preclude his restoration to the
high-priesthood. Antipater's son, Herod,
avenged Hyrcanus & was rewarded by engagement to the ex-high
priest's granddaughter, Mariamne.
Though nominally the chief Jewish official, Hyrcanus was always
dominated by others: first his mother, then Antipater & finally
his grandson-in-law, Herod, who ultimately had him executed on
charges of treason, so that there would be no male Hasmoneans left
for the new emperor Augustus
to make ruler of the Jews in his stead.
References: Josephus,
Antiquities
13.407-408,
14.4-20,
30-73,
99,
127-212,
299-306,
324-379;
15.11-23,
41,
164-182.
_____, War
1.109, 118-133,
153, 169,
194-214,
226-273,
433-437.
Other resources on
line:
Perspective on the
World of Jesus 