The leadership of the Hasmoneans was founded by a resolution, adopted in 141 BCE, at a large assembly "of the priests and the people and of the elders of the land, to the effect that Simon should be their leader and high priest forever, until there should arise a faithful prophet" (I Macc.
Alexander reigned from 103 to 76 BCE, and died during the siege of the fortress Ragaba.
From 63 to 40 BCE the government was in the hands of Hyrcanus II as High Priest and Ethnarch, although effective power was in the hands of his adviser Antipater the Idumaean.
In February 135 BCE, he was assassinated at the instigation of his son-in-law Ptolemy.
According to his directions, the government of the country after his death was to be placed in the hands of his wife, and Aristobulus I, the eldest of his five sons, was to receive only the high-priesthood.
By this means he came into the possession of the throne, which, however, he did not long enjoy, as after a year's reign he died of a painful illness (103BCE).
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