From 67 to 62 BC
Flavius Josephus, The Jewish Wars, Book I, Chapter 4, Section 2
Alexander and Salome’s sons, John Hyrcanus II and Aristobulus II, contend for the throne. Though at some point the former considers relinquishing his claims, Antipater the Idumean bolsters him to renew the conflict. At this point, Antipater’s son, Herod, lays siege to Jerusalem with the help of the Nabateans. Meanwhile, Pompey has arrived in the region with a large army to conquer Syria. Supporters of both John Hyrcanus II and Aristobulus II travel to Damascus in the hopes of convincing the great Roman general to support their cause. Pompey finally conquers Jerusalem, defiles the Temple, and appoints John Hyrcanus II as client king of Judea in 62 BC – when in actuality, Antipater is the one overseeing the affairs of the land. John Hyrcanus II’s reign is characterized by instability – for example, Aristobulus II’s son rises in arms against him before being executed by the Romans – and the ongoing strife crumbles the Hasmonean dynasty from the inside. Antipater and his sons, Herod and Phasael, become the de-facto rulers of Judea. The sun has set on the Hasmonean dynasty and an independent Judea.
The Hasmonean kingdom is torn apart by a bitter succession conflict. Ongoing internal conflicts and the endless pursuit of honor lead to its complete undoing and loss of independence. However, everything has a reason. To discover the order underlying peace and tranquility, one must first abandon selfishness, materialism, and lust for power.
“So Pompey pitched his camp in that place one night, and then hasted away the next morning to Jerusalem; but Aristobulus was so affrighted at his approach, that he came and met him by way of supplication. He also promised him money, and that he would deliver up both himself and the city into his disposal, and thereby mitigated the anger of Pompey. Yet did not he perform any of the conditions he had agreed to; for Aristobulus’s party would not so much as admit Gabinius into the city, who was sent to receive the money that he had promised” (Josephus Flavius, The Jewish Wars, Book 1, Chapter 6, paragraph 6)
Self-control relates to the principle of restriction; it is the ability to feel and notice without responding reactively.
Self-control relates to the principle of restriction; it is the ability to feel and notice without responding reactively.
