Hyrcanus, Johannes

high-priest and prince of the Jews, was son of Simon Maccabæus, on whose a a ination he succeeded him as supreme ruler, в. с. 136. Jerusalem was soon after besieged by Antiochus Sidetes, king of Syria, with whom Hyrcanus was compelled to make a burdensome peace. In 131 he accompanied Antiochus in his expedition against the Parthians, and from a victory over the Hyrcanian tribe he acquired the surname Hyrcanus. Antiochus being killed during this war, Hyrcanus threw off the yoke of Syria, conquered Idumea, besieged and destroyed Samaria, and made an alliance with Rome. The last years of his reign were troubled by the di ensions of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Died B. c. 106, and was succeeded by his son Aristobulus, who took the title of king. HYRCANUS II., eldest son of Alexander Jannæus, became sovereign pontiff в. с. 70, was dethroned by his brother Aristobulus, and restored by the Romans as a tributary prince, 63. Beheaded by Herod, в. с. 29. Hyre/mansville, in Pennsylvania , a former post office of Lehigh co.