ARISTOBULUS III.:

By: Richard Gottheil, Louis Ginzberg

Last scion of the Hasmo nean royal house; brother of Mariamne and paternal grandson of Aristobulus II. He was a favorite of the people on account of his noble descent and handsome presence, and thus became an object of fear to Herod, who at first sought to ignore him entirely by debarring him from the high-priesthood. But his mother, Alexandra, through intercession with Cleopatra and Antony, compelled Herod to remove Ananel from the office of high priest and appoint Aristobulusinstead. To secure himself against danger from Aristobulus, Herod instituted a system of espionage over him and his mother. This surveillance proved so onerous that they sought to gain their freedom by taking refuge with Cleopatra. But their plans were betrayed, and the disclosure had the effect of greatly increasing Herod's suspicions against his brother-in-law. As he dared not resort to open violence, he caused him to be drowned while he was bathing in Jericho (35 B.C.).

G. L. G.