'''Idumeans''' also known as '''Red Jews''' and '''Hyrcanians''' are the descendants of Edomites forcibly converted to Judaism by John Hyrcanus around 100BC when he ordered the entire population to be enslaved and then freed. Their name Hyrcanians comes from John Hyrcanus. They are also known as '''Ercolians''' or '''Hyrcanian Jews'''.
Although Hyrcanians accept the Mishna they do not have a very sophisticated understanding of Judaism and are comparable to Samaritans, Falashahs and other kinds of Karaites such as the 5th century Ishmaelites described by [[Sozomenus]].
In the 7th century they worked hard to make Hagarim and Toshavim out of all the gentiles of the Middle East such as for example the [[Elagabalites]].
