Aristobulus III of Israel

Aristobulus III of Israel (b. 53 BC - d. 36 BC) was the last scion of the Hasmonean royal house, brother of Herod the Great's wife 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 Maccabeus (63BC-28BC), through intercession with Cleopatra and Mark Antony, compelled Herod to remove Hananel from the office of High Priest and appoint Aristobulus instead.
To secure himself against danger from Aristobulus, Herod instituted a system of espionage against him and his mother. This surveillance proved so onerous that they sought to gain their freedom by taking refuge with Cleopatra. Their plans were betrayed, however, 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.
This article was taken from the Jewish Encyclopedia (1903).
Category:53 BC births
Category:36 BC deaths
Category:Hasmoneans
Category:Ancient Jewish Greek history
Category:Ancient Jewish Roman history
Category:High Priests of Israel
Category:Ancient Jericho
Category:Deaths by drowning
Category:1st-century BC clergy
ca:Aristòbul de Judea
de:Aristobulos (Bruder der Mariamne)
he:אריסטובולוס השלישי
nl:Aristobulus III
pl:Arystobul III