HYRCA'NUS, the name of two Jewish high-priests and princes of the Asmonean JOANNES IIIIRCANUS, sou of Simon Maecabeus, who ruled 106 to 10(1 am, was at first tributary to the Syrians; but ou the death of Antiochus, made himself inde pendent, subdued the Samaritans on the n., and forced the )duinteans on the s. to adopt the laws and customs of the Jews. He also concluded an alliance with the Romans, or rather confirmed that which his father Simon had previously made; built the strong fortress of Bans on the north-eastern angle of amount Moriah, and extended his terri tories almost to the ancient limits of the Davidian monarchy. He is also supposed to have fomaled the Sanhedrin (q.v.). Originally a Pharisee, he subsequently attached himself to the party of the Sadducees,who were anxious to keep oft good terms with the Romans, and who discountenanced the turbulent religious patriotism of the Jewish masses. I fyreanus was, comparatively speaking, a just and enlightened ruler, and the country enjoyed great prosperity during his reign. He left five sons, two of whom, Aristolndus and Alexander, governed with the title of king.!--2. IhncAxts II., son of Alexander, and grandson of the preceding, was a /feeble prince. On the death of his father (78 B.c.), he was appointed high-priest by his mother, Alexandra, who ruled Judo% herself for the next nine years. After her death (69 B.c.), his younger brother, Aristohulus, a braver and more energetic man, seized the government, and forced Ifyr minus to withdraw into private life. Induced by the Idunanan, Antipater, and aided by
Aretas, king of Arabia Petreca, he endeavored to win back his dominions, but was not successful until Pompey began to favor his cause. After some years of tumultuous fighting, Aristobulus by the partisans of Ptolemy (49 mc.), and Ilyreantis, who had for some time possessed, if he had not enjoyed, the dignity of high-priest and ethuarch, was now deprived of the latter of these offices, for which, in truth, he was wholly incompetent. Cesar (47 B.c.), on account of the services rendered to him by Autipater, made the latter procurator of Judtea, and thus left in his hands all the real power, busying himself only with the affairs of the priesthood and temple. Troubles, however, were in store for hint. Anti pater was assassinated, and Antigon us, son of Aristobulus, with the help the Parthian king Orodes I., immlud the land, captured Hyreanus by treachery, cut off his ears, and thus disqualified him for the office of high priest, and carried him off to Selcucia on the Tigris. Some years later Herod, son of his old friend Antipater, obtained supreme power in Judtea, and invited the aged Ilyreanus home to Jerusalem. He was allowed to depart, and for some time lived in case and comfort, but falling under suspicion of intriguing against Herod, was put to death (30 B. C.).