ATHALIAH, the daughter of Ahab, and wife of Jehoram, king of Judah. After the death of Ahaziah, her son, she usurped the throne and reigned for six years. She massacred all the members of the royal house of Judah (2 Kings xi. 5--3). The sole survivor, Joash, was concealed in the temple by his aunt, Jehosheba, wife of the priest, Jehoida. These organized a suc cessful revolution in favour of Joash (2 Kings xi., 2 Chron. xxii. 10-12, xxiii., xx1V. 7). The story of Athaliah forms the subject of one of Racine's best tragedies.