Jerusalem. Many historians believe a sizeable part of this group went to Qumran to join the Essene community. When Alexander Jannaeus died he left the throne to his wife, Alexandra (77–68 B.C.). Since she could not also be High Priest, she appointed her eldest son, Hyrcanus II, to that office. Her reign was marked by peace and consolidation. Syria was becoming ever weaker and was thus in no position to bother with Palestine. At home, Alexandra reconciled with the Pharisees and even made them leaders