ABSTRACT
The Hasmonean dynasty rose to power in the middle of the second century BCE and ruled Judea for more than a century. Although the Hasmonean period is well documented, evidence for the women of the family is scarce. Yet the sources indicate that female Hasmoneans played an increasingly important role in dynastic self-presentation and the political processes. Two Hasmonean rulers, John Hyrkanos (c. 134–104 BCE) and Alexander Jannaios (c. 103–76 BCE), even appointed their wives as successors, although both had adult sons at the time of their death. Whereas the attempt of John Hyrkanos’ wife to assume power was immediately thwarted by her son, Salome Alexandra inherited the throne from Alexander Jannaios and ruled Judea successfully for nine years as one of the few queens regnant in the Hellenistic world. These developments are to be explained by the growing public visibility and influence of royal women in the late Hellenistic period and specific historical circumstances in Hasmonean Judea.
