Between Empires and Peers: Hasmonean Foreign Policy under Alexander Jannaeus
Between Empires and Peers: Hasmonean Foreign Policy under Alexander Jannaeus

Summary/Abstract: During the reign of Alexander Jannaeus (103–76 BCE), Judea underwent a numberof signifi cant changes. This article explores one of them: the fundamental shift in foreign policystrategy. This shift becomes most apparent in the king’s decision to not renew the alliance withRome, which had been a hallmark of Hasmonean foreign policy since the days of Judas Maccabaeus.However, a close analysis of Alexander Jannaeus’ policy regarding other foreign powersdemonstrates that the end of the Judean-Roman alliance did not happen in a vacuum. It is shownthat under Alexander Jannaeus, the Hasmonean state adopted a different strategy towards imperialpowers by focusing on deescalation and ignorance rather than alliances. In contrast, interactionswith other rising states in the vicinity, such as the Nabateans and Itureans, increased. This neworientation in foreign policy refl ected changes in Hasmonean identity and self-defi nition; Judeadid not need imperial support to maintain its independence anymore but strived to increase itsstatus as a regional power.

• Details
• Contents