**ALEXANDRA ASMONEA** – Princess of the Hasmonean dynasty (v.), daughter of Hyrcanus II, high priest and ethnarch, married her cousin Alexander, son of Aristobulus II. She had two children: MARIAMME (v.), who married Herod the Great around 34 BC, and Aristobulus (v.). Offended by Herod’s refusal to appoint Aristobulus—who was entitled to it—as high priest, and unable to sway the king, she resorted even to infamous means to compel Antony to force Herod into the desired appointment. The hostility between Alexandra and Herod then flared violently. The king subjected her to strict surveillance and had Aristobulus drowned, as he had become a troublesome rival. Through Cleopatra, Alexandra summoned Herod before Antony’s tribunal, but Herod took savage reprisals against his mother-in-law. The false rumor of the king’s death prompted Alexandra to daring attempts, but when Herod condemned Mariamne to death on the double charge of attempted poisoning and adultery, Alexandra reproached her daughter for her conduct toward her husband.
**Taking advantage of Herod’s mental distress over the death of his beloved Mariamne, Alexandra attempted to seize the Temple fortress, perhaps in preparation for a bid for succession, but she was killed by Herod.**
**