Pompey and the End of Jewish Independence (67 - 51 BCE)

Jewish and Roman histories begin to intersect at this point, so that one cannot discuss Jewish history without discussing Roman history (The reverse is not as true, of course). When Salome died in 67 BCE, there arose a conflict between Hyrcanus II and his brother Aristobolus II over who would become both High Priest and king. The people opted for Aristobolus II, but the matter did not end there. Hyrcanus II, backed by Antipater, an Idumean, and the army of the Nabataean king, Aretas, who had lost much territory to the Jews, demanded that Hyrcanus II be reinstated as High Priest and made king.