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Hasmonean Judea among the Nations: Masters, Friends, Rivals, Adversaries

Publication date: 24.04.2026

ELECTRUM, 2026, Volume 33, pp. 271-291

https://doi.org/10.4467/20800909EL.26.013.23126

Authors

Maurice Sartre
Maison de l’Orient et de la Méditerranée
, France
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9422-714X Orcid
All publications →

Titles

Hasmonean Judea among the Nations: Masters, Friends, Rivals, Adversaries

Abstract

Between the revolt of 168 BC and 63 BC, the Hasmoneans established in Judea an increasingly autonomous power. The documentation, which is almost exclusively due to Jewish authors, gives Judea a central place, but an examination of the sources shows that the power of the Hasmoneans was essentially based on the weakness of their adversaries. The links maintained with Rome never resulted in a Roman intervention in their favour and the former Seleucid master acted almost freely in the new kingdom until the 80s. Judea remained a marginal region, struggling to assert itself against the states in the region, including the Nabataean kingdom.

Abbreviations

BEBulletin Épigraphique.
FDFouilles de Delphes, III: Épigraphie, vol. 4, pt. 1: G. Colin, La terrasse du temple et la zone du sanctuaire, Paris 1922–1930.

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Information

Information: ELECTRUM, 2026, Volume 33, pp. 271-291

Article type: Original scientific article

Authors

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9422-714X

Maurice Sartre
Maison de l’Orient et de la Méditerranée
, France
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9422-714X Orcid
All publications →

Maison de l’Orient et de la Méditerranée
France

Published at: 24.04.2026

Article status: Open

Licence: CC BY 4.0  licence icon

Percentage share of authors:

Maurice Sartre (Author) - 100%

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Acknowledgements:

My colleague and friend David Jacobson kindly revised my English, saving me from many mistakes and making some very useful suggestions. The editor of this volume also corrected some errors and generously provided articles that I would have found difficult to find. Both of them know how grateful I am for their help; I remain, of course, responsible for any errors and inadequacies.

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Hasmonean Judea among the Nations: Masters, Friends, Rivals, Adversaries

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