At the death of Aristobulus in 103…

At the death of Aristobulus in 103 BCE, his widow, Salome Alexandra, liberates his brother Alexander Jannaeus, who had been held in prison.

Jannaeus succeeds Aristobulus as the Judaean king and high priest; and marries Salome Alexandra, whose brother is Shimon ben Shetach, a leading Pharisee.

After a failed siege against Gaza, Jannaeus strikes a phony league of friendship with the Egyptian co-ruler Ptolemy Lathyrus.

In reality Jannaeus seeks the assistance of Lathyrus’ mother, Cleopatra III, against her son.

When Lathyrus learns of this treachery, he takes out his fury on Judea.

After defeating Jannaeus near the Jordan River, Lathyrus’ soldiers slaughter fleeing Jewish troops.

Afterwards, Lathyrus attacks a small village in Judea with utter malice.

The Egyptian troops strangle women and children.

Then the deceased are cut into pieces, boiled in cauldrons, and eaten as a sacrifice.

This act of cannibalism is used to terrify the Judean people and their military.

After this massacre, Jannaeus is in no position to stop the onslaught of Lathyrus.

However, Cleopatra III, who is probably swayed to support Jannaeus through two Jewish commanders in her military, steps in to prevent Lathyrus from sacking Jerusalem.