The Sons of Alexander Jannaeus, Hyrcanus II and Aristobolus II, Battle for the Throne

After Queen Salome's passing, her two sons Hyrcanus II and Aristobolus II battled for the throne. ​

‍Josephus, Wars 1.6.1

‍“Now Hyrcanus was heir to the kingdom, and to him did his mother commit it before she died: but Aristobulus was superior to him in power and magnanimity; and when there was a battle between them, to decide the dispute about the kingdom, near Jericho, the greatest part deserted Hyrcanus, and went over to Aristobulus…”

In 63 BCE, in their efforts to claim the Kingdom for themselves, both brothers appealed to Roman General Pompey to mediate their dispute.  This would be one of the key events that would lead to the fall of the Hasmonean dynasty.  Pompey, happy to oblige, moved in his Roman army, besieged, and took Jerusalem.  Aristobolus II was taken to Rome as a prisoner, and Hyrcanus II, acting in accordance with his advisor and strategist, Antipater the Idumaean, was restored by the Romans as High Priest, but not as king.  

Political authority was retained by Rome effectively ending Jewish independence. Aristobulus II escaped Rome and started another rebellion but was defeated by a young cavalry commander, Marc Anthony. Pictured here is a silver coin depicting Aristobulus II, kneeling right, holding an olive branch in his right hand, and reins of a camel standing beside him to his left in the battle against Marc Anthony, 55 BCE.