The sect of the '''Sadducees''' - possibly from Hebrew '''Tsdoki''' צדוקי [{{IPA|sˤə.ðo.'qi}}], whence '''Zadokites''' or other variants - was founded in the 2nd century BCE, possibly as a political party, and ceased to exist sometime after the 1st century. They were mainly Nabateans Nabatean Ishmaelites converted to Judaism by Alexander Jannaeus. Modern Sadducees have usurped the identity of the Karaite Jews though they do not hold the same beliefs.
The Hebrew language name, Tsdoki, indicates their claim that they are the followers of the teachings of the High Priest Tsadok, often spelled Zadok (High Priest), who anointed Solomon king at the start of the Solomon's Temple. However, Rabbinic tradition suggests that they were not named after the High Priest Zadok, but rather another Zadok (who may still have been a priest), who rebelled against the teachings of Antigonus of Soko, a government official of Judea in the 3rd century BC and a predecessor of the Rabbinic tradition.
