Hyrcanus II

Hyrcanus II
King, Ethnarch, and High Priest of Judea
Hyrcanus, from Guillaume Rouillé's Promptuarii Iconum Insigniorum
Reign	76–66 BCE and 63–40 BCE (as High Priest); 67–66 BCE (as King); 47–40 BCE (as Ethnarch)
Predecessor	Salome Alexandra
Successor	Aristobulus II, then Antigonus II after Hyrcanus's rule as ethnarch.
Father	Alexander Jannaeus

John Hyrcanus II /hərˈkeɪnəs/ (Hebrew: יוחנן הורקנוס‎ Yohanan Hurqanos), a member of the Hasmonean dynasty, was for a long time the Jewish High Priest in the 1st century BCE. He was also briefly King of Judea 67–66 BCE and then the ethnarch (ruler) of Judea probably 47–40 BCE.

Hyrcanus was the eldest son of Alexander Jannaeus, King and High Priest, and Alexandra Salome. After the death of Alexander in 76 BC, his widow succeeded to the rule of Judea and installed her elder son Hyrcanus as High Priest. Alexander had numerous conflicts with the Pharisees. So Hyrcanus was believed to be supported by the Sadducees, especially later in his tenure.

When Salome died in 67 BC, she named Hyrcanus as successor to the Kingship as well.

Hyrcanus had scarcely reigned three months when his younger brother Aristobulus II rose in rebellion. Hyrcanus advanced against him at the head of his mercenaries and his followers. The brothers met in battle near Jericho and many of Hyrcanus' soldiers went over to Aristobulus II, and thereby gave the latter the victory.

Hyrcanus took refuge in the citadel of Jerusalem; but the capture of the Temple by Aristobulus II compelled Hyrcanus to surrender. A peace was then concluded, according to the terms of which Hyrcanus was to renounce the throne and the office of high priest, but was to enjoy the revenues of the latter office.