Hyrcanus
JOHANNES, a high priest and prince of the Jews. He was son of Simon Maccabæus, on whose assassination he succeeded him as supreme ruler, 135 B. C. 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. He then threw off the yoke of Syria, conquered Idumea, besieged and destroyed Samaria, and made an alliance with Rome. He died 106 в. c.
HYRCANUS II., eldest son of Alexander Jannæus; became sovereign pontiff 79 B. c., was dethroned by his brother Aristobulus, and restored by the Romans as a tributary prince in 63. He was beheaded by Herod, 29 B. C.
HYRIA (hir'rē-ä), an Arcadian nymph, who so much bewailed the death of her father, who had thrown himself headlong from the top of a rock, that she dissolved away in tears, and was changed into a lake hearing her name.