# Antigonus II Mattathias

> king of Judea

**Wikidata**: [Q359687](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q359687)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antigonus_II_Mattathias)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/antigonus-ii-mattathias

## Summary

Antigonus II Mattathias was the last king of Hasmonean Judea, ruling from 40–37 BCE. He was a member of the Hasmonean dynasty, a Jewish monarchy that governed Judea and surrounding regions during the Second Temple period. As the final ruler of the Hasmonean kingdom, his reign marked the end of Jewish independence before the Roman annexation of Judea.

## Biography

- **Born:** 80 BCE
- **Died:** 37 BCE
- **Nationality:** Hasmonean Judea
- **Occupation:** King of Judea
- **Dynasty:** Hasmonean
- **Field(s):** Monarchy, Religious Leadership
- **Related Entities:** Human, Priest, Hasmonean Judea

## Contributions

As the last Hasmonean king, Antigonus II Mattathias ruled Judea during a critical transitional period in ancient Near Eastern history. His reign represented the culmination of the Hasmonean dynasty, which had established Jewish independence following the Maccabean revolt. The Hasmonean state, which he inherited, was founded approximately in 140 BCE and encompassed Judea and surrounding regions.

## FAQs

**What was Antigonus II Mattathias known for?**
Antigonus II Mattathias was known as the final king of the Hasmonean dynasty, ruling Judea from 40 to 37 BCE before the Roman annexation.

**When did Antigonus II Mattathias live?**
He was born around 80 BCE and died in 37 BCE, living during the late Second Temple period in Jewish history.

**What was the Hasmonean dynasty?**
The Hasmonean dynasty was a Jewish monarchy in Judea and surrounding regions that existed from approximately 140 BCE to 37 BCE, established after the Maccabean revolt against Seleucid rule.

**What happened after Antigonus II Mattathias?**
Following his death in 37 BCE, the Hasmonean kingdom ended and Judea came under direct Roman rule, later becoming a province of the Roman Empire.

## Why They Matter

Antigonus II Mattathias matters historically as the final ruler of the Hasmonean dynasty, representing the end of a significant era of Jewish self-governance. His reign marked the conclusion of the Hasmonean state that had successfully resisted Seleucid domination and established an independent Jewish kingdom. The fall of the Hasmonean dynasty fundamentally altered the political landscape of Judea, paving the way for Roman direct rule and eventually the Herodian dynasty. Without his reign and the subsequent political changes, the historical trajectory of Judea in the first century BCE would have been substantially different.

## Notable For

- Last king of the Hasmonean dynasty
- Ruled Judea from 40–37 BCE
- End of Jewish independence in the Second Temple period
- Member of the Mattathias family dynasty

## Body

### Historical Context

Antigonus II Mattathias existed within the context of Hasmonean Judea, a Jewish monarchy established in Judea and surrounding regions during the Second Temple period. The Hasmonean dynasty was founded approximately in 140 BCE following the Maccabean revolt against Seleucid rule. This dynasty represented a period of Jewish independence that lasted roughly 103 years, from its founding until the death of Antigonus II Mattathias in 37 BCE.

### Reign and Political Context

As king of Judea, Antigonus II Mattathias ruled during a period of significant political upheaval in the eastern Mediterranean. The Hasmonean kingdom existed during a time when Roman power was expanding throughout the region, and the dynasty ultimately fell to Roman forces. His reign from 40 to 37 BCE represented the final years of Hasmonean rule before the Roman annexation of Judea.

### Dynasty and Family

Antigonus II Mattathias was part of the Hasmonean dynasty, also known as the Maccabean dynasty. The dynasty was named after the Maccabees, the Jewish family that led the revolt against Seleucid rule. His connection to the Mattathias family placed him within a lineage that had established Jewish independence and religious freedom in Judea. The dynasty produced multiple rulers who combined both royal and priestly roles, reflecting the unique nature of Hasmonean governance that integrated political authority with Jewish religious leadership.

### End of the Hasmonean Kingdom

The death of Antigonus II Mattathias in 37 BCE marked the definitive end of the Hasmonean dynasty and Jewish independence in Judea during the Second Temple period. Following his death, Judea came under direct Roman control, initiating a new political era that would include the Herodian dynasty and eventually Roman provincial administration. This transition fundamentally changed the political structure of Judea and set the stage for the events of the first century CE, including the life of Jesus of Nazareth.

### Historical Significance

Antigonus II Mattathias represents a pivotal figure in Jewish and Roman-period history. As the final Hasmonean king, his reign symbolizes the conclusion of an independent Jewish monarchy that had persisted for over a century. The end of his rule marked a turning point in the history of Judea, transitioning from the era of Jewish kingship to direct Roman provincial governance. This period of transition would have lasting implications for Jewish history, religious development, and the political structure of the region.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. [Source](https://encyklopedia.pwn.pl/haslo/Antygon-II-Matatiasz;3870099.html)