Inter-testimal Period, the Coming of the Romans

Judas Macabees

Lesson 3, by Lane

John Hyrcanus (135-106) brought peace and completed independence for Judea. His mother and brothers were scourged upon the walls of Jerusalem by Ptolemy in an effort to get John to retreat with his army which he did, but later Ptolemy fled and was never heard from again. Under Antiochus from Syria, Judea regained its independence. The Jews once more entered into a course of conquest forcing the Edomites to become Israelites and attacking and destroying the Temple in Samaria.

The rise of the two party system now known as the Sadducees and Pharisees brought an end to any hope of peace for the future. John eventually favored the Sadducees over the Pharisees. John was both Priest and King.

A CHANGE FOR THE WORSE: ARISTOBULUS I BECOMES KING

Hyrcanus left the civil government to his wife but his eldest son Aristobulus I, seized the government and the priesthood by putting her in prison and starving her to death. He founded what is known as the Hasmonaen dynasty. The entire period lasted for about 70 years. It was a time of war and bloodshed with the latter half of the period being troubled by the interference of the Romans. Queen Alexandra was not without fault in much of this trouble. The younger brother of Aristobulus, Antigonus, was drawn into a trap by the Queen and other women of the Temple where they plotted to kill him. Aristobulus I was known as a Greek lover and a devoted Sadducee.

ALEXANDER JANNAEUS (105-78) was the eldest surviving brother of Aristobulus I and secured the throne and priesthood by putting his next brother to death on a charge of aspiring to the diadem. Under his reign, the Jews marched against Gaza, Dora, and Ptolemies, cities stilled held by Egypt. The local citizens called for help from Egypt. On Ptolemy's arrival he entered Judea and a great slaughter took place. Judea was rescued by an army sent by Queen Cleopatra.

QUEEN ALEXANDRA PLOTS RESISTANCE AGAINST THE PHARISEES ( 78-69 B.C.).

She is best known for giving up the power of the Sadducee's to the Pharisees.

ALEXANDRA DIES, ARISTOBULUS II DEPOSES HYRCANUS II AND BECOMES KING AND PRIEST.

While on her death bed (she died at age 73), she was succeeded by her son Hyrcanus II who already held the priesthood. Aristobulus, the younger brother left Jerusalem while his mother was on her death bed and raised an army. He then challenged the Pharisees and Hyrcanus II in battle and won.

THE RISE OF ANTIPATER THE EDOMITE. ARISTOBULUS BESIEGED IN THE TEMPLE.

Antipater had a younger son by the name of Herod. Antipater himself was brought up in the royal court and embraced Judaism. Antipater befriended the deposed Hyrcanus II and soon they raised an army of 50,000 men and returned to Jerusalem. Aristobulus was besieged in the Temple by Antipater. When Passover came, there were no lambs to offer, so Antipater furnished swine instead of lambs in an effort to mock Aristobulus.

ROME INTERVENES IN AISA: SYRIA FALLS (63 B.C.)

Under new government, the Jews appeal to Rome to settle the above dispute. Hyrcanus and Aristobulus both appeal to Rome to settle the argument over who is high priest. The Romans choose Hyrcanus and arrest Aristobulus. Pompey and the Romans left on an expedition and no sooner than they were out of sight, Aristobulus gathered his supporters and attacked Hyrcanus. When the Romans heard of this they returned, destroyed the walls around the city of Jerusalem and killed 12,000 Jews. Hyrcanus was restored to power but the Romans broke the government up into what was known as the Five Sanhedrin's or councils. The war among the Jews did not stop and in 55 B.C. CRASSUS, the Roman General, plundered the Temple. He took everything of any value and left the building empty.

In 48 B.C. Caesar made his first campaign against Egypt. This was during the Roman civil war. Timely aid from Antipater assured Antipater and later his sons (the Herod's), the appointment as procurators over Judea.

Finally, in 40-37 B.C., after a series of other battles and wars between the Romans, which the Antipater family happened to end up on the correct side, Herod is made king of Judea.

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