Hyrcanus

(Ὑρκανός). (1) Ioannes, prince and high-priest of the Jews, was the son and successor of Simon Maccabaeus, the restorer of the independence of Iudaea. He succeeded to his father's power B.C. 135, and died in 106. Although he did not assume the title of king, he may be regarded as the founder of the monarchy of Iudaea, which continued in his family till the accession of Herod.

(2) High-priest and king of the Jews, was the eldest son of Alexander Iannaeus and his wife Alexandra, and was frequently engaged in war with his brother Aristobulus, who was, however, taken to Rome as a prisoner by Pompey in B.C. 63. Hyrcanus was put to death by his successor, Herod, in B.C. 30.