Alexandreion[1] (Greek), or Alexandrium (Latin), called Sartaba in the Mishna and Talmud and Qarn SartabainArabic, was an ancient hilltop fortress constructed by the Hasmoneans[2] between Scythopolis and Jerusalem on a pointy barren hill towering over the Jordan Valley from the west.[3] It was likely named after Hasmonean king Alexander Jannæus (104-77 BCE).
Wall at Alexandrium
| |
  Shown within State of Palestine  Alexandrium (the West Bank) Show map of the West Bank | |
| Alternative name | Alexandreion, Sartaba |
|---|---|
| Location | Jericho Governorate, West Bank |
| Region | Judea |
| Coordinates | 32°5′45″N 35°27′41″E / 32.09583°N 35.46139°E / 32.09583; 35.46139 |
| Type | Fortification |
| History | |
| Builder | Probably Alexander Jannaeus |
| Founded | 1st century BCE |
| Abandoned | About 70 CE |
| Periods | HellenistictoRoman Empire |
The fortress called "Alexandreion" in Greek, simplified to "Alexandrion" (and Latinised as "Alexandrium"), is mentioned by Josephus in his Antiquities of the Jews. It was mentioned in the Mishna and Talmud as "Sartaba" and is now called "Qarn Sartabe" (lit. "Horn of Sartabe") in Arabic.[4]
Alexandrium was constructed by the Hasmoneans near the border with Samaria to accommodate a military garrison, as well as to guard political prisoners.[5] It is later mentioned during Pompey the Great's conquest of Judea as a stronghold of Aristobulus II: "...as he passed by Pella and Scythopolis, he came to Corem, which is the first entrance into Judea when one passes over the midland countries, where he came to a most beautiful fortress that was built on the top of a mountain called Alexandrium, whither Aristobulus had fled/"[6]
The Alexandreion was restored by Herod the Great, a task he assigned to his brother Pheroras. Herod gave it the character of a palatial desert fortress, similar to those he built or rebuilt at Masada, Herodion and Machaerus. Herod used the fortress as a prison for his political opponents, holding his 2nd wife, Mariamne and her mother, Alexandra there in 30 BCE. It was also the burial site of Alexander, son of Herod, and Aristobulus, two of his sons whom Herod had executed at Sebaste in 7 BCE.[3]
Alexandrium was finally razed by VespasianorTitus during the Great Revolt.[7]
