Editing Alexander Jannaeus (section)

== War with Ptolemy Lathyrus ==
Alexander's first expedition was against the city of [[Acre, Israel|Ptolemais]]. While Alexander went ahead to besiege the city, Zoilus of [[Tel Dor|Dora]] took the opportunity to see if he could relieve Ptolemais in hopes of establishing his rule over coastal territories. Alexander's Hasmonean army quickly defeated Zoilus's forces. Ptolemais then requested aid from [[Ptolemy IX Lathyros]], who had been banished by his mother [[Cleopatra III of Egypt|Cleopatra III]]. Ptolemy had founded a kingdom in [[History of Cyprus|Cyprus]] after being cast out by his mother.{{sfn|Atkinson|2012|pp=130 & 131}}

The situation at Ptolemais was seized as an opportunity by Ptolemy to possibly gain a stronghold and control the Judean coast in order to invade Egypt by sea. An individual named Demaenetus convinced the inhabitants of their imprudence in requesting Ptolemy's assistance. They realised that by allying themselves with Ptolemy, they had unintentionally declared war on Cleopatra. When Ptolemy arrived at the city, the inhabitants denied him access.{{sfn|Atkinson|2012|pp=130 & 131}}

Alexander too didn't want to be involved in a war between Cleopatra and Ptolemy, so he abandoned his campaign against Ptolemais and returned to [[Jerusalem]]. After offering Ptolemy four hundred [[Talent (weight)|talents]] and a peace treaty in return for Zoilus's death, Alexander met him with treachery by negotiating an alliance with Cleopatra. Once he had formed an alliance with Ptolemy, Alexander continued his conquests by capturing the coastal cities of Dora and [[Caesarea Maritima|Straton's Tower]].{{sfn|Atkinson|2012|pp=131 & 132}}

As soon as Ptolemy learned of Alexander's scheme, he was determined to kill him. Ptolemy put Ptolemais under siege, but left his generals to attack the city, while he continued to pursue Alexander. Ptolemy's pursuit caused much destruction in the [[Galilee|Galilee region]]. Here he captured [[Shikhin|Asochis]] on the [[Sabbath]], taking ten thousand people as prisoners. Ptolemy also initiated an unsuccessful attack on [[Sepphoris]].{{sfn|Atkinson|2012|pp=131 & 132}}

=== Battle of Asophon ===
Ptolemy and Alexander engaged in battle at Asophon near the [[Jordan River]]. Estimated to have fifty to eighty thousand soldiers, Alexander's army consisted of both [[Jews]] and [[Paganism|pagans]]. At the head of his armed forces were his elite pagan mercenaries. They were specialised in [[Ancient Greek warfare|Greek-style]] [[phalanx]]. One of Ptolemy's commanders, Philostephanus, began the first attack by crossing the river that divided both forces.{{sfn|Atkinson|2012|pp=132 & 133}}

The Hasmoneans had the advantage. Philostephanus held back a certain amount of his forces whom he sent to recover lost ground. Perceiving them as vast reinforcements, Alexander's army fled. Some of his retreating forces tried to push back, but quickly dispersed as Ptolemy's forces pursued Alexander's fleeing army. Thirty to fifty thousand Hasmonean soldiers died.{{sfn|Atkinson|2012|pp=132 & 133}}

Ptolemy's forces at Ptolemais succeeded in capturing the city. He then continued to conquer much of the Hasmonean kingdom, occupying the entirety of northern Judea, the coast, and territories east of the Jordan River. While doing so, he pillaged villages and ordered his soldiers to cannibalise women and children to create psychological fear towards his enemies. At the time, Salome Alexandra was notified of Cleopatra's approach to Judea.{{sfn|Atkinson|2012|pp=133 & 134}}

=== Intervention of Cleopatra III ===
Realising that her son had amassed a formidable force in Judea, Cleopatra appointed Jewish generals [[Ananias ben Onias|Ananias]] and [[Chelkias ben Onias|Chelkias]] to command her forces. She went with a fleet towards Judea. When Cleopatra arrived at Ptolemais, the people refused her entry, so she besieged the city. Ptolemy, believing Syria was defenseless, withdrew to Cyprus after his miscalculation. While in pursuit of Ptolemy, Chelkias died in [[Coele-Syria]].{{sfn|Atkinson|2012|p=134}}

The war abruptly came to an end with Ptolemy fleeing to Cyprus. Alexander then approached Cleopatra. Bowing before her, he requested to retain his rule. Cleopatra was urged by her subordinates to annex Judea. Ananias demanded she consider the residential Egyptian Jews who were the main support of her throne. This induced Cleopatra to modify her longings for Judea. Alexander met her demands and suspended his campaigns. These negotiations took place at [[Beit She'an|Scythopolis]]. Cleopatra died five years later. Confident, after her death, Alexander found himself free to continue with new campaigns.{{sfn|Atkinson|2012|p=135}}