Alexandrium

For the alga genus, see Alexandrium (genus).
Alexandrium

Hasmonean wall at Alexandrium
Shown within the Palestinian territories
Alternate name Alexandrion, Sartaba
Location Jericho Governorate, West Bank
Region Judea
Coordinates 32°5′45″N 35°27′41″E / 32.09583°N 35.46139°ECoordinates: 32°5′45″N 35°27′41″E / 32.09583°N 35.46139°E
Type Fortification
History
Builder Probably Alexander Jannaeus
Founded 1st century BC
Abandoned About 70 AD
Periods Hellenistic to Roman Empire

Alexandrion or Alexandrium, sometimes referred to as Sartaba, was a fort constructed by the Hasmoneans[1] on a mountain between Scythopolis and Jerusalem, near the Jordan Valley.[2] It was likely named after Hasmonean king Alexander Jannæus (104-77 BCE).

History

Alexandrium was constructed by the Hasmoneans near the border with Samaria to accommodate a military garrison, as well as to guard political prisoners.[3] It is later mentioned during Pompey the Great's conquest of Judea as a stronghold of Aristobulus II: "When, in the year 64, Pompey marched past Pella and Scythopolis to Coreæ, on the northern boundary of Judea, Aristobulus II fell back on Alexandrium."[4]

The fort was restored by Herod the Great, a task he assigned to his brother Pheroras. Herod used the fort as a prison for his political opponents, holding his wife Mariamne and mother Alexandra there in 30 BCE. It was also the burial site of Alexander and Aristobulus, the two sons Herod had executed at Sebaste in 7 BCE.[2]

Alexandrium was finally razed by Vespasian or Titus during the Great Revolt.[5]

References

Notes

  1. ↑ Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews 13:417
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Rocca 2008, pp. 30-32
  3. ↑ Rocca 2008, p. 12
  4. ↑ Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews 14:48
  5. ↑ Krauss, Samuel. "ALEXANDRIUM". JewishEncyclopedia.com. Retrieved May 7, 2011.

Bibliography

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sartaba.