Izates bar Monobaz

Izates II or Izates bar Monobaz (also known as Izaates) (ca. 1-55 CE) was a proselyte to Judaism who became King of the Parthian client kingdom of Adiabene. He was the son of Queen Helena of Adiabene and Monobaz I. During his youth he was sent by his father to the court of King Abennerig of Characene in Charax Spasinu. While in Charax Izates became acquainted with a Jewish merchant named Ananias, who familiarized him with the tenets of the Jewish religion, in which he became deeply interested. Izates married King Abennerig's daughter Symacho who had been converted to Judaism through the efforts of Ananias. Unbeknownst to him, his mother roughly contemporaneously converted to Judaism. On returning home and ascending the throne on the death of his father, Izates discovered the conversion of his mother; and he himself intended to adopt Judaism, and even to submit to circumcision. He was, however, dissuaded from this step both by his teacher Ananias and by his mother, but was ultimately persuaded thereto by another Jew, Eleazar. [Genesis Rabba xlvi. This odd account may have been part of a ritual deterrence to conversion which is still practiced by mainstream Judaism. A convert is turned away three times and only accepted when he returns each time to ask to be converted.]

For some time Izates enjoyed peace; and he was so highly respected that he was chosen as arbitrator between the Parthian king Artabanus and his rebellious nobles. But when several of Izates' relatives openly acknowledged their conversion to Judaism, some of the nobles of Adiabene secretly induced Abia, an Arab king, to declare war against him. Izates defeated his enemy, who in despair committed suicide. The nobles then conspired with Vologases, King of Parthia, but the latter was at the last moment prevented from carrying out his plans, and Izates continued to reign undisturbed for twenty-four years.

Izates died around 55 CE. His mother Helena survived him for only a short time. He left twenty-four sons and twenty-four daughters. Izates was succeeded by his brother Monobaz II, who sent Izates' remains and those of Queen Helena to Jerusalem for burial.

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References

* [http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=384&letter=I&search=Izates Gottheil, Richard and Isaac Broydé. "Izates".] "Jewish Encyclopedia". Funk and Wagnalls, 1901-1906.
*JewishEncyclopedia