Hyrcanus

Hyrcanus, High-priest of the Jews (B.C. 78-30), succeeding his father, and king (B.C. 69-47), succeeding his mother Alexandria, was the last prince of the dynasty of Joannes Hyrcanus, son of Simon Maccabeeus. Hyrcanus' younger brother, Aristobulus, rebelled, and drove him from the throne. Pompey restored Hyrcanus' power (63), and took Aristobulus and his son to Rome; but they escaped, and their rebellious attempts gave the real sway over Judea to Antipater, an Iduineean, whom Ceesar (47) made Procurator of Judaea. Hyrcanus had Antipater removed by poison (43); but weakly allowed Antipater's son, Herod, to succeed to his father's power. The Parthians carried off the feeble Hyrcanus (40), and detained him in Babylon for several years, but at last he returned to Jerusalem at Herod's invitation. He was put to death by Herqd (30) after the battle of Actium.