What role did Pompey play in the civil war that took place among the leaders in Judea?

Answer 1

The civil war was between the two sons of Alexander Janaeus, the king and high priest of the Hasmonean dynasty who died in 76 BCE. His widow Salome became ruler and on her death the elder son Hyrcanus II, who, like her, supported the Pharisees succeeded her in 67 BCE. The younger son, Aristobulus II, who, like his father, supported the Sadducees, rebelled. Hyrcanus was defeated, but then sought the support of the Nabataeans, who besieged Jerusalem. Meanwhile, the Romans had taken over Syria. Since the Hasmonean household were Roman allies, both brothers appealed to Marcus Aemilius Scaurus, Pompey's deputy in Syria. Scaurus decided to side with Aristobulus and ordered the Nabataeans to withdraw their army. When Pompey arrived in Syria in 63 BCE, the brothers sent their delegates to him. Pompey favoured Hyrcanus, because he considered him weaker and a more reliable ally of the Romans. Aristobulus was captured in that year. The conflict continued after Pompey's departure. Aristobulus escaped in 57 BCE, sparking another revolt. He fled to a Hasmonean fortress. He surrendered to the Roman army, but his followers refused to surrender Jerusalem, which was besieged and taken by force. Hyrcanus was restored as High Priest, but deprived of political authority.