In 164 B.C., Judas Maccabeus became governor of Palestine after Antiochus IV died. Judas purified and rededicated the temple and restored the Jews' religious life. After Judas was killed by the Syrians in battle, he was succeeded by his brother Jonathan, who was murdered a short time later. The command fell to another brother Simon, who appealed to the Romans and was placed in a position of authority. Simon was succeeded by his son, John Hyrcanus.

Aristobulus and Hyrcanus, grandsons of John Hyrcanus, disputed the claims of each other in the Hasmonean line. To settle the dispute, the claims were submitted to Pompey, a Roman general and member of the First Triumvirate that included Julius Caesar and Crassus. Pompey favored the claim of Hyrcanus.Aristobulus, who was unwilling to submit to Pompey's decision, entered into a conflict with the general. Pompey then took the city of Jerusalem into Roman rule and appointed Hyrcanus as the governor of Judaea, the region formerly known as Judah and later as Judea.

Hyrcanus's appointment as governor marked the beginning of the spread of Roman rule throughout the area that had once been the Maccabean realm. The Jews were granted full religious rights and political liberty, but they were required to pay a yearly tribute to Rome.

Antipater, son of Jason - whom Antiochus IV made high priest after deposing Onias - was appointed procurator of Judea by Julius Caesar. In 47 B.C., Caesar appointed Antipater's son, Herod, governor of Galilee. Herod married Mariamne, the granddaughter of Hyrcanus, and was made king by Mark Antony, one of Caesar's lieutenants. This was the Herod who was king when Jesus was born.

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(ADDITIONAL INFORMATION)

Articles on this page may be used in conjunction with the Gospel Doctrine course of study.

Information compiled by Gerry Avant

Sources: The Bible Almanac, Thomas Nelson Publishers; Dictionary of the Bible, Charles Scribner's Sons Publishers; New Analytical Dictionary and Concordance of the Bible, John A. Dickson Publishing Co.