# Alexander Jannaeus

> second king of the Hasmonean dynasty of Judea

**Wikidata**: [Q319107](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q319107)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Jannaeus)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/alexander-jannaeus

## Summary
Alexander Jannaeus was the second king of the Hasmonean dynasty of Judea, ruling from 103 to 76 BCE. He was both a political leader and a hereditary priest (kohen) who significantly expanded the Hasmonean kingdom during his reign.

## Biography
- Born: 127 BCE
- Died: 76 BCE
- Nationality: Jewish (citizenship: Q10359001)
- Education: Not specified in source material
- Known for: Being the second king of the Hasmonean dynasty
- Employer(s): Hasmonean Judea
- Field(s): Politics, monarchy, priesthood

## Contributions
As king of the Hasmonean dynasty, Alexander Jannaeus led the Jewish monarchy during a period of significant territorial expansion. His reign (103-76 BCE) was marked by military campaigns that extended the borders of Hasmonean Judea, making it an important regional power during the Second Temple period.

## FAQs
**What role did Alexander Jannaeus play in religious life?**
Alexander Jannaeus served as both king and a hereditary priest (kohen) in Judaism, combining religious and political leadership in a way that was characteristic of the Hasmonean dynasty.

**How long did Alexander Jannaeus rule?**
Alexander Jannaeus ruled as king of the Hasmonean dynasty for 27 years, from 103 BCE until his death in 76 BCE.

**What was Alexander Jannaeus's relationship to the Hasmonean dynasty?**
Alexander Jannaeus was the second king of the Hasmonean dynasty, which established a Jewish monarchy in Judea during the Second Temple period (140-37 BCE).

## Why They Matter
Alexander Jannaeus played a crucial role in the history of Judea during the Second Temple period, expanding the territory and influence of the Hasmonean kingdom. His dual role as both king and priest exemplifies the unique political-religious dynamics of this era. His reign shaped the geopolitical landscape of the region and influenced the development of Jewish political and religious institutions during a pivotal time in Jewish history.

## Notable For
- Serving as both king and hereditary priest (kohen) in Judaism
- Ruling during the peak of Hasmonean power (103-76 BCE)
- Leading significant territorial expansion of Judea
- Being associated with the Hasmonean dynasty, which established Jewish political sovereignty after the Maccabean Revolt

## Body

### Early Life and Background
Alexander Jannaeus was born in 127 BCE during the Hasmonean period, a time when the descendants of the Maccabees had established a Jewish monarchy in Judea. As a member of the Hasmonean dynasty, he inherited a legacy of both political authority and religious leadership, as his family held the dual position of kings and high priests.

### Reign as King
Alexander Jannaeus became the second king of the Hasmonean dynasty in 103 BCE following the death of his brother Aristobulus I. His reign lasted 27 years, ending with his death in 76 BCE. During this period, he ruled over Hasmonean Judea, a Jewish monarchy that existed during the Second Temple period (140-37 BCE).

### Political and Religious Role
Unlike typical kings who separated political and religious authority, Alexander Jannaeus held the unique position of both king and kohen (hereditary priest in Judaism). This dual role reflected the Hasmonean approach to leadership, which combined secular governance with religious authority in a way that was distinctive to this particular dynasty in Jewish history.

### Historical Context
Alexander Jannaeus ruled during the Hasmonean Judea period, which was characterized by Jewish sovereignty following the successful Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire. This era was significant for reestablishing Jewish political independence and for the development of unique political institutions that merged traditional religious leadership with monarchy.

### Legacy and Significance
The reign of Alexander Jannaeus was marked by territorial expansion that solidified the Hasmonean kingdom as a regional power. His leadership represented a transitional period in Jewish history, moving from the priestly-centered leadership of the Second Temple to a more monarchial structure. The dual nature of his authority as both king and priest left a lasting imprint on the political-religious landscape of Judea and influenced subsequent developments in Jewish governance and religious practice.

### Digital Presence and Identifiers
Alexander Jannaeus has numerous identifiers across different platforms, including:
- Wikidata ID: Q11859785 (0000000066973260)
- VIAF ID: 14376655
- GND ID: 1048422461
- LCCN: no97045260
- Open Library ID: OL597635A
- IMDb ID: nm2379202
- Hebrew name: אלכסנדר ינאי
- Various aliases including "Alexander Jannæus" and "Jonathan Alexander"

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. [Source](https://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/alessandro-ianneo-re-di-giudea)
4. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line
5. Enciclopedia Treccani
6. Dizionario di Storia
7. [Source](https://encyklopedia.pwn.pl/haslo/Aleksander-Janneusz;3867563.html)