ALESSANDRA ASMONEA. - family (v.), daughter of Ircano II, high priest and ethnarch, she married her cousin Alessandro, son of Aristobulo II. She had two children: Mariamme (v.), who married Erode il Grande about 54 B.C., Aristobulo (v.). Offended by Erode’s refusal to invest Aristobulo, who had a right to it, with the high priesthood, and unable to bend the king, she even resorted to infamous means in order to have Antonio compel Erode to make the desired appointment. Hostility between A. and Erode then broke out violently. The king placed her under strict surveillance and had Aristobulo drowned, since he had become an inconvenient rival to him. Through Cleopatra, A. had Erode sum-
moned before the tribunal of Antonio, but he took every measure for a fierce reprisal against his mother-in-law. The false report of the king’s death suggested bold attempts to A.; but when Erode condemned Mariamme to death on the twofold charge of attempted poisoning and adultery, she reproached her daughter for her conduct toward her husband.
Taking advantage of Erode’s mental derangement after the death of his beloved Mariamme, A. attempted to seize the fortress of the Temple, perhaps in preparation for the succession, but was killed by Erode.