Alexandrium

A fortified castle in Palestine, situated on one of the mountains between Scythopolis and Jerusalem, and, judging from its name, probably founded by King Alexander Jannæus (104-77 B.C.). Alexandra kept her treasures at Alexandrium as well as at Hyrcania and Machærus (Josephus, "Ant." xiii. 16, § 4). When, in the year 64, Pompey marched past Pella and Scythopolis to Coreæ, on the northern boundary of Judea, Aristobulus II. fell back on Alexandrium ("Ant." xiv, 3, § 4; "B. J." i. 6, § 4). Aristobulus' son Alexander was besieged there by Gabinius, and when he saw that he could hold out no longer, he surrendered Alexandrium as well as Hyrcania and Machærus to the Romans, who on advice of Alexander's mother demolished them, lest they should become strongholds in any subsequent wars ("B. J." i. 8, § 5). Herod's youngest brother, Pheroras, again fortified and provisioned Alexan drium ("Ant." xiv. 15, § 4; "B. J." i. 16, § 3). The fortress was finally destroyed, probably by Vespasian or Titus. Alexandrium is supposed by some to be the present Kefr Stuna; others look for it near Karn Sartabe, on the border of the plain of Jordan, north of Jericho.

Bibliography:

  * Boettger, Topographisch-historisches Lexicon zu den Schriften des Flavius Josephus, p. 19, Leipsic, 1879;
  * Schürer, Gesch. i. 321;
  * Baedeker, Palästina und Syrien, 3d ed., p. 169.



S. Kr.