Death and Succession

According to Josephus, Aristobulus immediately repented of Antigonus’ death, but his guilt added to his sickness such that “he was disturbed in his mind” and “his entrails were corrupted by his intolerable pain and he vomited blood” (Josephus, Antiquities 13.314). Aristobulus’ dying words indicate that he was consciously aware of his guilt and saw his impending death as punishment for his actions against his family: “I am not therefore, I perceive, to be concealed from God, in the impious and horrid crimes I have been guilty of; but a sudden punishment is coming upon me for the shedding of the blood of my relations” (Josephus, Antiquities 13.316).

Aristobulus died in 103 bc, having reigned just one year. His widow, Salome Alexandra, released Aristobulus’ brothers from prison and married one of them, Alexander Jannaeus, who subsequently became king (Sanders, Judaism, 380–81).