ABSTRACT
The Jewish community in Judaea at the time of Torah was divided into various sects. According to the first century ce historian, Josephus, the three most important groups were the Sadducees, the Pharisees and the Essenes. According to the Essenes, the Hellenizers and worldly Sadducees were violators of God's law. During the reign of Alexander Jannaeus a number of Pharisees revolted against his Hellenizing influence. It appears that they seized Jerusalem and the royal mint, issuing coins of their own in the name of the Council of Elders. After the death of Alexander Jannaeus, his widow Salome Alexandra succeeded him and reversed his religious policies, treating the Pharisees with favour. On her death, her two sons John Hyrcanus II and Aristobulus II struggled for power. After Pompey's death in 48 bce, John Hyrcanus II and Antipater gave assistance to Julius Caesar in his battle against the Egyptian forces.
