1. Aristobulus I was the eldest of the five sons of John Hyrcanus, the previous leader.
14 Facts About Aristobulus I
2.
The Sadducees and the Essenes were not concerned about Aristobulus I taking the title of king, but the Pharisees, believing that the kingship could only be held by the descendants of the Davidic line, strongly opposed this.
3.
Aristobulus I's reign is particularly noted for the Judaization of Galilee and the native Semitic people called the Ituraeans.
4.
Aristobulus I was referred to as Philhellene, meaning he was an admirer of Greek culture.
5.
Aristobulus I then imprisoned all of his brothers, except for Antigonus, to protect himself from possible familial retaliation.
6.
Aristobulus I went to war against the Ituraeans and took territory from them.
7.
Aristobulus I was then informed by "evil men" that his brother was sending soldiers to murder him, and Aristobulus I became estranged from Antigonus after hearing this rumour.
8.
The queen had bribed the messenger whom Aristobulus I had sent to his brother; she altered the original message.
9.
Queen Salome then released Aristobulus I's brothers, selecting Alexander Jannaeus as the next king.
10.
The majority of Aristobulus I's coins were discovered primarily in the regions of Galilee and Golan, with the largest quantity originating from Gamla.
11.
The numismatic evidence does not suggest that Aristobulus I assumed the title of king.
12.
The brief yet impactful reign of Aristobulus I left a lasting imprint on the Hasmonean dynasty, sparking historical debates about his true status as a monarch.
13.
The coins minted during Aristobulus I's rule do not bear the title of "king," fueling doubts about his royal status.
14.
The enduring debate hinges on the intricacies of Hasmonean leadership, with scholars pondering whether Aristobulus I held both the high priesthood and kingship simultaneously.