ALEXANDREION. – Palestinian fortress, built near the Jordan, where the Qarn Sartabe ends, by Alessandro Jannico (d. in 76 B.C.). It often served as a refuge for the last Hasmoneans during the critical moments of their troubled reign (Flavius Josephus, Ant. Iud., XIV, 49, 83 ff.; Bell. Iud., I, 134, 163, 171). Destroyed by Gabinius (57 B.C.), it was rebuilt in 38 B.C. by Ferora, brother of Herod the Great, and became the scene of this king’s family tragedy (Ant. Iud., XV, 185). Mariamme (v.) was confined by Herod in 30 B.C., jealous lest his wife survive him in the event of his downfall; there were buried the young Alessandro and Aristobulo, whom their father had put to death in 7 B.C. (Bell. Iud., I, 551). Herod kept his treasures there (Ant. Iud., XVI, 317).
ALEXANDREION
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“ALEXANDREION.” Enciclopedia Cattolica, vol. I (1948), p. 504. Azione Romana digital edition, https://azioneromana.com/article/alexandreion.