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Salome Alexandra’s Rule Over Israel

Salome Alexandra, also known as Shlomtzion, was one of the most remarkable rulers of the Hasmonean Dynasty in Judea. She reigned from 76 BCE to 67 BCE and was the last significant Hasmonean ruler to bring stability and peace to the kingdom before its decline. Her reign is often remembered as a golden age in Judean history, marked by prosperity, religious freedom, and internal peace.

Early Life and Rise to Power

Salome Alexandra was initially married to Aristobulus I, who became king of Judea. After his death, she married his brother Alexander Jannaeus, who became both king and high priest. Alexander Jannaeus was a militaristic leader who sought to expand the kingdom’s borders, often clashing with the Pharisees and facing civil unrest. When he died in 76 BCE, Salome Alexandra inherited a kingdom torn by internal strife.

A Wise and Diplomatic Ruler

Upon assuming the throne, Salome Alexandra took a radically different approach from her husband. She was committed to restoring stability and healing the deep divisions within Judean society. Her first act was to appoint her eldest son, Hyrcanus II, as high priest, allowing her to focus on governing as queen.

Salome Alexandra wisely reached out to the Pharisees, the influential religious group often in opposition to her late husband. By aligning herself with the Pharisees, she ensured support from the Jewish religious community, which helped to ease tensions. Under her rule:

• Education flourished: Salome promoted the study of Torah and religious scholarship, earning her the respect of the Pharisees and other religious leaders.
• Justice and fair governance: She implemented a system that allowed people to appeal cases and grievances, creating a sense of fairness and justice.
• Economic prosperity: Peaceful trade relations were maintained, which allowed the economy to thrive.

Salome Alexandra’s reign is notable for its religious tolerance. Unlike her predecessors, she worked to create a more inclusive society where different sects and religious views could coexist peacefully.

Death and the Kingdom’s Division

In 67 BCE, Salome Alexandra fell gravely ill. Knowing that her sons were already at odds, she tried to secure a peaceful succession by urging Hyrcanus II, the high priest and her eldest son, to assume leadership. However, her younger son, Aristobulus II, had ambitions for the throne. The two sons represented starkly different political and religious views, with Hyrcanus II aligned with the Pharisees and Aristobulus II supported by the Sadducees and the military.

Salome Alexandra’s death that year removed the unifying force that had kept the kingdom together. With her passing, a civil war erupted between Hyrcanus II and Aristobulus II over control of Judea.

The Civil War and the Decline of the Kingdom

The ensuing civil war severely weakened the kingdom. The rivalry between Hyrcanus II and Aristobulus II split Judean society along political, religious, and social lines:

• Hyrcanus II: Backed by the Pharisees and many of the common people, he represented a more cautious and traditional approach to leadership, which was rooted in religious values and maintaining the stability his mother had achieved.
• Aristobulus II: A more assertive and ambitious leader, Aristobulus sought to centralize power and continue the military expansions of his father, Alexander Jannaeus. He garnered support from the Sadducees and the military.

The civil war drained the kingdom’s resources and destabilized its governance. The brothers sought outside support, and both appealed to Rome for help in their bid for the throne. This act of inviting foreign intervention would have catastrophic consequences.

Roman Intervention and the Fall of the Hasmonean Kingdom

In 63 BCE, the Roman general Pompey arrived in Judea, initially as a mediator between the brothers but ultimately with an eye on expanding Roman influence. Pompey saw an opportunity to take advantage of the weakened state of Judea and intervened by laying siege to Jerusalem. Aristobulus’s supporters resisted, leading to a bloody conflict, but ultimately Pompey captured Jerusalem, marking the end of the Hasmonean Dynasty’s independence.

Legacy of Salome Alexandra’s Reign

Salome Alexandra’s rule stands out as a rare period of peace, stability, and religious tolerance in the Hasmonean Dynasty. Her leadership enabled Judea to flourish, but her death and the civil war that followed brought an end to the kingdom’s autonomy. The rivalry between her sons weakened Judea internally and exposed it to foreign domination. This division, coupled with Roman intervention, would forever change the political landscape of Israel.

Salome Alexandra’s legacy remains influential in Jewish history, remembered for her wisdom, devotion to justice, and the peace she briefly brought to Judea in a time of relentless conflict.