Changes

[[File: Hasmonean_kingdom.jpg|300px|thumbnail|left|Map Showing the Growth of the Hasmonean Kingdom]]

Although Antiochus IV’s successor, Antiochus V (reigned 164-161 BC), reversed many of his predecessor’s policies in regards to Judea and the Jews in 162 BC, the Maccabean Rebellion had by that time transformed into an independence movement. With support from the Romans, the Maccabees were able to finally gain independence under Simon Maccabeus in 140 BC. <ref> Hull, Caroline and Andrew Jotischky. <i>The Penguin Historical Atlas of the Bible Lands.</i> (London: Penguin), p. 33</ref> From that point forward, the ruling family of Judea was known as the Hasmonean Dynasty, named for one of their ancestors. Either Aristobulus (ruled 104-103 BC) or Janneus (reigned 103-76 BC) were the first Hasmonean rulers to officially take the title of “king.” Four more Hasmonean kings ruled in Judea before the Romans forcefully handed over power to the Herodian Dynasty in 37 BC. <ref> Greenspoon, p. 337</ref>

The Maccabean Rebellion also marked the beginning of Roman influence and then rule over the region and the beginning of the end for Seleucid rule. After the Parthians took the Seleucids’ possessions in Mesopotamia, the Romans incorporated Syria into their growing empire in 64 BC, which put an end to the Seleucid Empire and meant that the Hasmoneans were living on borrowed time. <ref> Bryce, p. 221</ref> After Aristobulus II (ruled 66-63 BC) acted in a manner that the Roman general and consul Pompey thought was aggressive – or perhaps Pompey just said he did in order to have a <i>casus belli</i> – the Roman general sent his army to Judea. Either way, Pompey put Jerusalem under a three-month siege and reduced it to direct Roman control. Rule of the city and region was then given to Herod and his descendants. <ref> Greenspoon, p. 340</ref>