Izates bar Monobaz

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.

Notes

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


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  • Izates bar Monobaz — Izates II o Izates bar Monobaz (mejor conocido como Izaates) (vivió entre los años 1 55 d. C.) fue un prosélito del Judaísmo que se convirtió en Rey de los Partos y cliente principal del reino de Adiabene. Fue hijo de la reina Helena de Adiabene… …   Wikipedia Español

  • Monobaz II — or Monobaz bar Monobaz was the son of Helena of Adiabene and Monobaz I. Like his younger brother Izates bar Monobaz and his mother, Monobaz became a convert to Judaism. He ruled as king of Adiabene after the death of his brother Izates around 55… …   Wikipedia

  • Monobaz I — (also known as Bazeus or Monobazus) was king of the neo Assyrian Parthian client state of Adiabene in the 20s and 30s of the 1st century CE. He was the husband (and brother) of Queen Helena of Adiabene.[1] With Helena he fathered Izates bar… …   Wikipedia

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  • Symacho — (fl. early 1st c. CE) was the daughter of King Abinergaos I of Characene. She was converted to Judaism by Ananias of Adiabene. Symacho married Izates bar Monobaz during the latter s sojourn in Charax as a youth. She presumably went with him when… …   Wikipedia

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