Aristobulus I

Judah Aristobulus I or Aristobulus I was the first Hasmonean king of Judaea from 104 BCE until his death in 103 BCE. He was the eldest of the five sons of John Hyrcanus, the previous leader. The Roman–Jewish historian Josephus states that he was the first Jew in "four hundred and eighty-three years and three months" to have established a monarchy since the return from the Babylonian captivity. Aristobulus was not only the first king from the Hasmonean lineage but the first of any Hebrew king to claim the title of both the high priesthood and the kingship. The Sadducees and the Essenes were not concerned about Aristobulus taking the title of king, but the Pharisees, who believed that the kingship could only be held by the descendants of the Davidic line, were infuriated. The Pharisees launched a massive rebellion, but Aristobulus died before any attempt to depose him could occur. The major historical sources on Aristobulus's life are Josephus's Wars of the Jews and Antiquities of the Jews. His reign is particularly noted for the Judaization of Galilee and the native Semitic people called Ituraeans. Josephus, quoting from Strabo's Historica Hypomnemata, described Aristobulus's regime as kindly and "very serviceable to the Jews" on account of his conquests and the integration of "a portion of Ituraean nation whom he joined to them by the bond of circumcision". Etymology The name Aristobulus is of Greek origin and is an epithet meaning "best-advising". Aristobulus I was the first Hasmonean to have adopted the name, but his Hebrew name was Judah. He was also referred to as Philhellene, meaning he was an admirer of Greek culture. Josephus though does not elaborate as to why he was called this. Early campaigns and monarchy established John Hyrcanus conquered many lands during his efforts to expand Jewish territory, but throughout his campaign, Samaria resisted while surrounding land was captured. John so highly valued Samaria that he sent his two sons, Aristobulus and Antigonus, to capture it. They besieged the city and the residents requested aid from Antiochus IX Cyzicenus, who joined the battle but was defeated. Antiochus fled, and the brothers pursued him towards Scythopolis. After Antiochus escaped, the brothers returned to Samaria, demolished the city, and enslaved its populace. Forces led by the brothers then overran Scythopolis and the entire region south of Mount Carmel.