sons of Jannaeus—Aristobulus II and Hyrcanus II—became embroiled in a contest for the kingship that ultimately terminated the career of the Hasmonean state. Already under Hyrcanus I, Hasmonean pretensions met with Jewish resistance. Internal opposition reached its apogee during Jannaeus’ reign. So intense was their detestation of the king that his enemies actually appealed to the reigning Seleucid monarch for assistance in ousting him. The ouster failed. But the brutality of Jannaeus’ repressive