Hasmonean civil war
| Hasmonean civil war | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the Pharisee–Sadducee conflict | ||||||||
Pompey in the Temple of Jerusalem, Jean Fouquet (1470–1475) | ||||||||
| ||||||||
| Belligerents | ||||||||
|
Aristobulus supporters: Sadducees Mercenaries |
Hyrcanus supporters: Pharisees Nabataean kingdom | Roman Republic | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | ||||||||
| Aristobulus II |
Hyrcanus II Antipater Aretas III |
Pompey the Great Marcus Aemilius Scaurus | ||||||
| Strength | ||||||||
| Unknown |
Unknown number of Hyrcanus loyalists (over 6,000) 50,000 Nabataean infantry and cavalry troops | Unknown | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | ||||||||
| Over 12,000 killed (Including many civilians) | Over 6,000 killed | 18,721 killed | ||||||
The Hasmonean civil war was a succession war fought in Judea between Salome Alexandra's sons, Hyrcanus II and Aristobulus II, over the Hasmonean crown. What began as a civil war, Hyrcanus backed by Antipater and Nabataean king Aretas III, Aristobulus holding Jerusalem, drew in the Roman Republic when Pompey intervened, besieged the Temple precincts in 63 BCE, and captured Jerusalem. Pompey reinstated Hyrcanus as high priest but stripped royal power, reduced Judea's territory, imposed tribute, and carried Aristobulus to Rome, ending the independence of Judea.