Monobazus II

Monobazus II was the elder brother and successor of Izates II and maintained the royal family's close ties with Judaism and Jerusalem.

Monobazus II was the eldest son of Monobazus I and Helena and the elder brother of Izates II. After their father died, he temporarily assumed authority while Izates was away. Josephus praises his willingness to surrender the throne when Izates returned. Following Izates's death, Monobazus II succeeded as king of Adiabene. He arranged for the remains of his mother Helena and brother Izates to be taken to Jerusalem for burial. Josephus also describes members of the Adiabene royal family participating in the events surrounding the Jewish revolt against Rome. The exact extent of Monobazus II's involvement and the end of his reign are less certain than the basic succession. He is remembered as part of a royal household closely connected with Jewish religious life.

Monobazus II represents continuity in the Adiabene dynasty and its relationship with Judaism. His handling of the succession and the family burials in Jerusalem are particularly well attested.

Monobazus temporarily governs after his father's death. He yields the throne to Izates II. He later succeeds Izates. He arranges for the burial of Helena and Izates in Jerusalem. The family remains connected with Judean affairs.

Monobazus II is not named in Scripture. His family's religious commitments and links with Jerusalem illustrate the wider Jewish world of the New Testament era.

Acts 2:9–11; Acts 11:27–30 (general historical context only)

Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews 20.2–4; Josephus, Jewish War; Encyclopaedia Iranica, Adiabene.

His own burial place is not securely known. Josephus reports that he arranged for Helena and Izates to be buried near Jerusalem.