In order to seize absolute control over both the religious and secular power in Judea, Judah Aristobulus had imprisoned his mother and his brothers when he succeeded to the throne in 104 B.C. Upon Judah’s death little more than a year later, his widow, Salome Alexandra, freed these prisoners and married one of them, Alexander Jannaeus. At first, Jannaeus styled himself merely high priest, but soon, due to a decline in the power of the ruling Seleucid dynasty of Syria, he called himself king, a title which appears on his coinage. Upon the death of Jannaeus in 76 B.C., Salome Alexandra again took over the reigns of government, although the title of high priest was given to her son by Alexander Jannaeus, John Hyrcanus II. The ancient coins of Jannaeus carry designs of anchors, stars, and cornucopia, with inscriptions in Greek, Aramaic and Hebrew.