Judea subjugated by Ptolemy IX, invades Egypt

[Cuāuhtemōc]

Alexander Jannaeus' reign as King of Judea was marked by constant expansions and wars left and right on his neighbors, and aided by the fact that Rome, busy with its own political problems, could not intervene. He had picked a fight with Ptolemy IX Lathyrus, exiled Pharaoh and de facto ruler of Cyprus, when the latter came to the assistance of Ptolemais. Ptolemy's army had defeated the Judeans on multiple occasions, capturing and killing thousands. He would've succeeded in subjugating Judea, had Helkias and Ananias, Jewish generals of Cleopatra III, failed in persuading the Egyptian queen (who had exiled Ptolemy IX in the first place) to send an army to reinforce the Hasmoneans and stop Ptolemy from succeeding in his conquest.

Had Egyptian military assistance come too late, Ptolemy would've conquered Judea, either annexing it or imposing someone from the anti-Alexander Pharisees to rule as a puppet ruler. Would Ptolemy continue southward to reconquer Egypt from Cleopatra or would the Romans will draw the line in the sand, or worse send an army to intervene on behalf of Cleopatra?

 

[Dathi THorfinnsson]

Alexander Jannaeus' reign as King of Judea was marked by constant expansions and wars left and right on his neighbors, and aided by the fact that Rome, busy with its own political problems, could not intervene. He had picked a fight with Ptolemy IX Lathyrus, exiled Pharaoh and de facto ruler of Cyprus, when the latter came to the assistance of Ptolemais. Ptolemy's army had defeated the Judeans on multiple occasions, capturing and killing thousands. He would've succeeded in subjugating Judea, had Helkias and Ananias, Jewish generals of Cleopatra III, failed in persuading the Egyptian queen (who had exiled Ptolemy IX in the first place) to send an army to reinforce the Hasmoneans and stop Ptolemy from succeeding in his conquest.

Had Egyptian military assistance come too late, Ptolemy would've conquered Judea, either annexing it or imposing someone from the anti-Alexander Pharisees to rule as a puppet ruler. Would Ptolemy continue southward to reconquer Egypt from Cleopatra or would the Romans will draw the line in the sand, or worse send an army to intervene on behalf of Cleopatra?

I'm sorry. What? You want Judea to beat Egypt? Or even Judea and Cyprus?

I'm sure Cleo needs rather more than her palace guard to defend Egypt from this invasion. But I doubt she needs to bring anyone down river from the Nubian border or needs Roman help.

 

[Codae]

I'm sorry. What? You want Judea to beat Egypt? Or even Judea and Cyprus?

In terms of states, this would be Cyprus beats Judea, then attacks Egypt.

Based on my quick research, I do expect that, without Egyptian intervention, Ptolemy Lathyrus could take over Judea, but I'm not sure how much better it would be as a base against Ptolemy Alexander than Cyprus was. Egyptian forces were able to penetrate as far as Damascus in 103 BC. It's possible big effects could occur sooner in the Seleucid Empire as consequences of having a Judean state aligned against Ptolemy Alexander and Antiochus Grypus, rather than with them.

 

[SlyDessertFox]

It depends. How much money did Ptolemy IX have to spend on bribing Roman politicians, like Ptolemy Auletes would later do? That has a lot to do with how seriously Rome considers intervening.

As for if he could take back control of Egypt after subjugating Judea, it's a toss up really.

 

[Imperator Maximilianius]

It depends. How much money did Ptolemy IX have to spend on bribing Roman politicians, like Ptolemy Auletes would later do? That has a lot to do with how seriously Rome considers intervening.

As for if he could take back control of Egypt after subjugating Judea, it's a toss up really.

A lot of things would be up in the air.