Aristobulus

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

For other people with this name, see Aristobulus (disambiguation)

Aristobulus (reigned 104-103 BC) was a king of the Hebrew Hasmonean Dynasty, and the eldest of the five sons of King John Hyrcanus. He was the first of the Hasmonean rulers to call himself "king." According to the Hebrew Scriptures, only descendants of Judah, or, more specifically, the House of David, were qualified to be kings of Israel. All of Aristobulus' predecessors used the title of "nasi"/"prince".

According to the directions of John Hyrcanus, the government of the country after his death was to be placed in the hands of his wife, and Aristobulus was originally to receive only the high-priesthood. He was not however satisfied with this, so he cast his mother into prison and allowed her to starve there. By this means he came into the possession of the throne, which, however, he did not long enjoy, as after a year's reign he died of a painful illness (103 BC). He was hostile to the Pharisees and pursued them with ruthlessness.

Aristobulus' successor was his eldest brother, Alexander Jannæus, who, together with his two brothers, was freed from prison by Queen Shelomit [Salome] Alexandra, the widow of Aristobulus.

[edit] See also

• Aristobulus II (67-63 BC)

House of Asamoneus
Preceded by John Hyrcanus I	King of Judaea 104 BC – 103 BC	Succeeded by Alexander Jannaeus
	High Priest of Judaea 104 BC – 103 BC