| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | The Encyclopedia of Ancient History |
| Editors | Andrew Erskine, David B. Hollander, Arietta Papaconstantinou |
| Place of Publication | Hoboken, NJ |
| Publisher | John Wiley & Sons Inc. |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 9781444338386 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9781405179355 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 2012 |
Abstract
John Hyrcanus I, a son of Simon the Hasmonean, was a general in his father's army (1 Macc 13.53; 16.1–10; Jos. BJ 1.51–3; AJ 13.225–7). Simon was assassinated by his son-in-law, Ptolemy (135/134 BCE), while two of his sons were either killed or taken hostage (our sources disagree). Hyrcanus, hearing of the conspiracy, seized Jerusalem and assumed the high priesthood. He then besieged Ptolemy in Jericho, but the latter's hold on Hyrcanus' brothers and mother (Josephus' version) prolonged the blockade, until Ptolemy killed them and fled (1 Macc 16.11–22; BJ 1.54–60; AJ 13.228–35).