Helen is Tic Age 323-30 Bc

8/7/2019 Helen is Tic Age 323-30 Bc

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HELLENISTIC AGE 323- 37 BCPaul Conway, 2009, Associate Professor

Summary:

This series of lectures expose students to a broad knowledge of dates, sources and

perspectives of Greek and Jewish people and events that make up the Hellenistic Age inJudea. This encompasses but is not limited to the Maccabean Revolt and Alexander the

Great. Got Hope is to provide a full understanding of the many events and views that

pressed against both the Jewish and Greek leaders that ignited the explosion of conflict

and produced a shift of power from Greece to Judea and eventually Rome.

Outline:

I. SYNOPSIS OF THIS PERIOD

II. SUMMARY OF THE SOURCES

III. SUMMARY OF THE HELLENISTIC PERIOD

IV. SUMMARY OF THE MACCABEAN REVOLT

V. BIOGRAPHY OF KEY HELLENISTIC FIGURES.

Objectives:

1. Frame the main events and dates that filled the Hellenistic Age.

2. Explore the primary sources that provide key information about the Hellenistic Age.

3. Engage the key people, perspectives and events of the Greeks in the Hellenistic Age.

4. Engage the key people, perspectives and events of the Jews in the Hellenistic Age.5. Examine the portrait of Antiochus Epiphanies IV from primary source material.

I. Synopsis of this Period1

ALEXANDER THE GREAT

PTOLEMIES AND SELEUCIDS

MACCABEAN REVOLT

HASMONEAN DYNASTY

ALEXANDER THE GREAT2

333.Battle of Issus, decisive victory of Alexanders forces over the Persians

332.Palestine comes under Alexanders control

323.Death of Alexander the Great301.Ptolemy I gains control of Palestine

1Donald E. Gowan Bridge Between the Testaments: A Reappraisal of Judaism from the Exile to the Birth of

Christianity(Pickwick Publications, Eugene, OR.) 1986.

2Ibid., 47.


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JUDEA UNDER THE PTOLEMIES AND SELEUCIDS3

Egypt Syria

323-288..Ptolemy I Lagi 312/11-281..Seleucus I

301..Ptolemy controls Palestine

283-246..Ptolemy II Philadelphus 281-261..Antiochus I

275..Ptolemy II invades Syria

261-246..Antiochus II

260..Antiochus II invades Palestine

246-221.Ptolemy III Euergetes 246-226..Seleucus II

245.Ptolemy III invades Syria

225-223.Seleucus III

221-203Ptolemy IV Philopator 223-187.Antiochus III (The Great)

203-181Ptolemy V (Epiphanes)

202-199 Antiochus III conquers Palestine

181-146Ptolemy VI Philometor 187-175.Seleucus IV

175-164.Antiochus IV (Epiphanes)

MACCABEAN REVOLT4

175-164.ANTIOCHUS IV EPIPHANES

170/69...Antiochus first campaign against Egypt

168...Antiochus second campaign against Egypt where he is met by Rome

167, Dec...Pagan sacrifice in Jerusalem temple, beginning of persecution

165/5..Death of Mattathias, JUDAS MACCABEUS leads revolt

164, March..Negotiations lead to end of persecution

164, Dec...Purification of temple (Hanukah)

163/2..Antiochus V162-150.Demetrius I

161Death of Judas, JONATHAN succeeds him

153/2..Jonathan appointed high priest by Alexander Balas

150-145.ALEXANDER BALAS

143/2....Death of Jonathan, SIMON succeeds him

142-139.Simon gains freedom from tribute to Syria, assumes title

prince of the people as well as high priest.

145-139/8.DEMETRIUS II

145/142/1.ANTIOCHUS VI

142/1-138.TRYPHON

139/8-129.ANTIOCHUS VII

134.Death of Simon

HASMONEAN DYNASTY (Self Rule of Israel under Hasmoneans)

3Ibid., 61.

4Gowan, 72.


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134-104.JOHN HRCANUS

104-103.ARISTOBULUS I

103-76ALEXANDER JANNAEUS

76-67..ALEXANDRA (Queen)

75/4-66/5.Hyrcanus II (High Priest)

66/5-63..ARISTOBULUS II

63Pompey enters Jerusalem, Judea becomes a vassal state of Rome

63-40Hyrcanus II (High Priest)

40-37ANTIGONUS

37..Accession of Herod the Great

II. SUMMARY OF THE SOURCES

A. The Historical Sources:a. Although the Persian period has few historical works written that is not true for the

Hellenistic Period.

b. A resurgence of writing takes place now that a future hope seems possible.c. Many new Genres and volumes appear that are couched in the historical and political

views of the time.

B. The Book of Daniel:

a. Literary criticism claims the book was written only after the events. Conservatives say

Daniel is prophetic and did not need to be written after the events.

b. The criticism of Daniel being dated beyond his lifetime is a recent development.

1. No Jewish or Christian scholar in the Inter-Testamental or early church

age ever questioned.2. The only exception is a pagan author named Porphyry around the 3rd

century AD5

c. Conservative authors on Daniel :

i. John F. Walvoord:1. Daniel, The key to prophetic Revelation

2. The Knowledge Bible Commentary

ii. Josh McDowell

1. Evidence that Demands a Verdict Vol. 2: He explains and dismantles

the liberal view of Daniel and literary criticism with excellence and

scholarship.

5John F. Walvoord Daniel: The Key to Prophetic Revelation (Moody Press, Chicago, IL., 1989) 12.


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C. Josephus

a. The Man: A Jewish Priest who turned General in revolt against the Romans. Took a

suicide at Gamala when defeat was in sight. After all were dead he and the last man did

not follow through. Rather than fight a losing battle or die a martyr he submitted to

Rome and became a scribe recording the Roman was in Judea (This is what we call The

Jewish Wars). He later would write the history of his people (This is known as the

Antiquities of the Jews).

b. The Writings:

i. Jewish Wars (JW).6

1. Josephus stated he wrote the book in the language of his homeland

(Hebrew or Aramaic).

2. He sent it to the people in the upper Tigris region, the Jews in Babylon(J.W. 1.3.).

3. Josephus translated the book into Greek and had assistants to help with

his translation (Ag. Ap., 1.50).4. The Emperor Titus wished the Romans to learn of the War in Judea and

gave his signature of approval for its publication (Life, 363).

5. Sources Josephus Used:

6. His writings of the Hasmonean state came from utilizing Nicolaus of

Damascus, a friend and counselor of Herod the Great. He was hostile

towards the Hasmoneans, but a closer contemporary to the state of

affairs in Judea of that time. None of his works have survived directly

but mild reconstructions of it are made from other authors.

ii. Antiquities of the Jews (Ant.)7

1. This work is Josephus attempt to describe human history from creationto 66 AD.

2. These works did not have the assistance of the translators he had for

Jewish Wars since it was not under the directive of the Emperor of

Rome.

3. He copied large sections of Greek sources.

4. These are some reasons why Antiquities is filled with contradictions.

iii. Life of Josephus (Life.) A short autobiography of Josephus.

iv. Against Appion (Ag. Ap.)A debate with a philosopher where Josephus

attempts to debate the Jewish Faith in an apologetic manor.

v. Comment of Josephus sources for his writing8

6Hanan Eshel The Dead Sea Scrolls and the Hasmonean State (Eerdman Publishing Co., Grand Rapids, MI.,

2008), 5-8.

7Eshel, 6-8.


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1. Nicolaus of Damascus, a friend and counselor of Herod the Great. He

was hostile towards the Hasmoneans, but a closer contemporary to the

state of affairs in Judea of that time. None of his works have survived

directly but mild reconstructions of it are made from other authors.

2. Strabo and Timagenes

3. Jewish Rabbinic Literature

4. Conclusion: Since Josephus had such strong reliance on second and

third party literature for events prior to his time, contradictions arise.

This makes any additional sources available to study the Hellenistic age

profound and useful.

D. Maccabees

a. I Maccabeesi. A historical summary of the circumstantial events in Judea from 175-134 BC. It

is pro-Jewish and one sided in its version of history.

b. II Maccabees

i. This version reviews history from 175-160 BC but does less with history and

more with embellished legends. The purpose of this writing is less historical and

more to exhort the Jewish people under persecution.9 Much like Revelations

purpose for its letters to the churchs Rev. 2:1-3:22.

E. Dead Sea Scrolls

a. Over 900 Scrolls found at Qumran and region.

b. Details of these scrolls covered in future lectures

c. An over simplification of these sources.i. Written between 250 BC and 70 AD (Temple destruction)

ii. Mostly in Hebrew, some Aramaic

iii. Written by the faction of Jews known as the Essens

iv. Authors avoided the use ofpeoplesproper names and used titles like The

Wicked Priest, The Righteous Teacher, etc

v. Only ten scrolls mention a known historical figure by name.101. Onias (Probably one of the High Priests who served in Jerusalem Temple

prior to the Hasmonean Revolt.

2. Jonathan and Simeon (Most likely the sons of Mattathias).

3. John (Probably John Hyrcanus I).

4. King Jonathan (Who should be identified as Alexander Jannaeus).

5. Salamzion and Hyrcanus.

8Eshel, 8.

9Gowan, 72-73.

10Eshel, 3.


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English while still keeping texts in Greek and Latin for those competent in original

language.

III. SUMMARY OF THE HELLENISTIC PERIOD

A. ALEXANDER THE GREATa. This meant the end of Persian rule in Judea and the beginning of Greek dominion and

Hellenization. It starts as something good but becomes a clash of cultures after

Alexanders death and his successors reign in Judea.

b. The Man

i. He was the son of a General

ii. Student of Aristotle.

iii. Conquered the whole world by the age of 32.iv. Was poisoned, possibly by his own men.

v. On his death there was confusion to who he named his successor.

1. Some say The Strongest2. Others say the name of one of his generals that sounds similar to that

phrase.

vi. His kingdom was divided between his four generals.

vii. He was passionate about the Greek culture and spread Hellenism wherever

they conquered. He respected the institutions of a region but developed the

area into Greek civilized culture through introducing certain institutions and

structures.

c. References in scripture

i. Daniel

1. (Dan 7:6 NIV)6 "After that, I looked, and there before me was anotherbeast, one that looked like a leopard. And on its back it had four wingslike those of a bird. This beast had four heads, and it was given authorityto rule.

a. Leopard: Alexander the Great Conquers the world very fast. Inten years. Comes to power in 333 BC and Dies at 32 June of323 having conquered the known world.

b. Four Wings: His four Generals. Two of which will be famous inHellenistic History and Judea Ptolemy (In Egypt) and Seleucid(In Syria).

2. (Dan 8:3-8, 20-22 NIV)3

I looked up, and there before me was a ramwith two horns, standing beside the canal, and the horns were long.One of the horns was longer than the other but grew up later.

4I watched

the ram as he charged toward the west and the north and the south. Noanimal could stand against him, and none could rescue from his power.He did as he pleased and became great.

5As I was thinking about this,

suddenly a goat with a prominent horn between his eyes came fromthe west, crossing the whole earth without touching the ground.

6


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He came toward the two-horned ram I had seen standing beside thecanal and charged at him in great rage.

7I saw him attack the ram

furiously, striking the ram and shattering his two horns. The ram waspowerless to stand against him; the goat knocked him to the ground andtrampled on him, and none could rescue the ram from his power.

8The

goat became very great, but at the height of his power his large hornwas broken off, and in its place four prominent horns grew uptoward the four winds of heaven.

a. Ram with two horns: Medes and Persians two horns on oneempire, Persia

b. Goat with a prominent horn between his eyes: Horn,Alexander the Great.

c. Without touching the earth: Again, the speed with whichAlexander the Great defeats the world of Medes and Persians.

d. Height of his power the large horn was broken off: Alexanderthe Greats death in 323 BC.

e. And in its place our prominent horns grew up: The fourGenerals of Alexander the Great.

3. (Dan 8:20-22 NIV)20 The two-horned ram that you saw represents thekings of Media and Persia.

21The shaggy goat is the king of Greece, and

the large horn between his eyes is the first king.22

The four horns thatreplaced the one that was broken off represent four kingdoms that willemerge from his nation but will not have the same power.

a. Daniel gives us the interpretation of the kingdoms he isseeing symbolically.

4. (Dan 11:3-9 NIV)3

Then a mighty king will appear, who will rule withgreat power and do as he pleases.

4After he has appeared, his

empire will be broken up and parceled out toward the four winds ofheaven. It will not go to his descendants, nor will it have the power he

exercised, because his empire will be uprooted and given to others.5

"The king of the South will become strong, but one of his commanderswill become even stronger than he and will rule his own kingdom withgreat power.

6After some years, they will become allies. The daughter of

the king of the South will go to the king of the North to make an alliance,but she will not retain her power, and he and his power will not last. Inthose days she will be handed over, together with her royal escort andher father and the one who supported her.

7"One from her family line will

arise to take her place. He will attack the forces of the king of the Northand enter his fortress; he will fight against them and be victorious.

8He

will also seize their gods, their metal images and their valuable articles ofsilver and gold and carry them off to Egypt. For some years he will leavethe king of the North alone.

9Then the king of the North will invade the

realm of the king of the South but will retreat to his own country.

a. The mighty king do as he pleases: Alexander the Great.b. King of the South: Ptolemysc. King of the North: Seleucidsd. This section describes the battles between these generals

during their reign of Judea.

ii. Ezekiel 26-28 (Destruction of Tyre)


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1. (Eze 26:12 NIV)12 They will plunder your wealth and loot yourmerchandise; they will break down your walls and demolish your finehouses and throw your stones, timber and rubble into the sea

a. The history behind the text (Prophecy):

i. Alexander defeats the Sidonians and marches south toTyre.

ii. Requests permission to sacrifice to Heracles in their city,

which he claimed to descend from.

iii. He offered a peace treaty and would avoid them but in

light of their reaction he chose to conquer the city.

iv. They refused because they moved from the city of Tyre

on the coast to an island fortress in the sea. They felt

safe.

v. Alexander built a bridge out of the city Tyre 200 wide.

vi. When he reached the city 8,000 soldiers were killed and30,000 women and children were made slaves. Only

400 of Alexanders soldiers died.

vii. The archeological remains of that bridge still are

present in the ocean.

d. Josephus: Jewish antiquities 11.317-345,

i. Speaks of his conquer of Persia and Tyre.

ii. Mentions an account of him offering sacrifice in Jerusalem and refusing to do

the same for the Samaritans at their request.

e. Hallmarks of Hellenization in the World

i. The Polis: Greek for city.12

1. Had two characteristics, autonomy and liberty.

2. All citizens had a voice in the general assembly ecclesia (We get the

name of the church from this.

3. Life centered around ones citizenship

ii. The spread of the Greek language

1. In times past Akkadian and Aramaic were the trade languages of the

ancient near east.

2. Now the universal language begins to shift to Greek and culminates by

the Roman era.

iii. Hybrid culture:

1. A new hybrid culture of Greek and whatever it synchronized with.

12Gowan, 55.


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2. As Gowan words it,

To what extend does cultural change endanger the values of

traditional religion.13

3. That question is the spark that ignites the Maccabean revolt 150 years

later.

B. PTOLEMIES AND SELEUCIDS

1. Key Scriptural moment:

a. (Dan 11:3-9 NIV)3

Then a mighty king will appear, who will rule with great power and doas he pleases.

4After he has appeared, his empire will be broken up and parceled out

toward the four winds of heaven. It will not go to his descendants, nor will it have the powerhe exercised, because his empire will be uprooted and given to others. 5 "The king of theSouth will become strong, but one of his commanders will become even stronger than he andwill rule his own kingdom with great power.

6After some years, they will become allies. The

daughter of the king of the South will go to the king of the North to make an alliance, but shewill not retain her power, and he and his power will not last. In those days she will be handedover, together with her royal escort and her father and the one who supported her.

7"One

from her family line will arise to take her place. He will attack the forces of the king of theNorth and enter his fortress; he will fight against them and be victorious.

8He will also seize

their gods, their metal images and their valuable articles of silver and gold and carry them offto Egypt. For some years he will leave the king of the North alone.

9Then the king of the

North will invade the realm of the king of the South but will retreat to his own country.

ii. The mighty king do as he pleases: Alexander the Great.

iii. King of the South: Ptolemysiv. King of the North: Seleucidsv. This section describes the battles between these generals during their

reign of Judea.

b. Comment on resources to study this period of History:

i. Donald Gowan, Bridge Between the Testaments: A Reappraisal of Judaism from

the Exile to the Birth of Christianity.

ii. Emil Schurer , History of the Jewish People in the Time of Jesus Christ

iii. Oded Lipschitz, Judah and the Judeans in the Fourth Century B.C.E.iv. Victor Tcherikover,Hellenistic Civilization and the Jews

c. Developments in the Ethos of Judea:

i. The Polis of Jerusalem

13Ibid, 56.
http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/search?author=Victor%20Tcherikover&detailed_search=1&action=Searchhttp://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/search?author=Victor%20Tcherikover&detailed_search=1&action=Search


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1. There was a push to make Jerusalem a Polis (2 Macc. 4:9-15; 1 Macc.

1:11-15).

(2Ma 4:9-15 KJA)9

Beside this, he promised to assign an hundred andfifty more, if he might have licence to set him up a place for exercise, andfor the training up of youth in the fashions of the heathen, and to write

them of Jerusalem by the name of Antiochians.10Which when the king had granted, and he had gotten into his hand the

rule he forthwith brought his own nation to Greekish fashion.11

And the royal privileges granted of special favour to the Jews by themeans of John the father of Eupolemus, who went ambassador to Romefor amity and aid, he took away; and putting down the governmentswhich were according to the law, he brought up new customs against thelaw:12

For he built gladly a place of exercise under the tower itself, andbrought the chief young men under his subjection, and made them weara hat.13

Now such was the height of Greek fashions, and increase ofheathenish manners, through the exceeding profaneness of Jason, that

ungodly wretch, and no high priest;14 That the priests had no courage to serve any more at the altar, butdespising the temple, and neglecting the sacrifices, hastened to bepartakers of the unlawful allowance in the place of exercise, after thegame of Discus called them forth;15

Not setting by the honours of their fathers, but liking the glory of theGrecians best of all.

(1Macc 1:11-15 KJA)11

In those days went there out of Israel wickedmen, who persuaded many, saying, Let us go and make a covenant withthe heathen that are round about us: for since we departed from them wehave had much sorrow.12

So this device pleased them well.13

Then certain of the people were so forward herein, that they went tothe king, who gave them licence to do after the ordinances of theheathen:14

Whereupon they built a place of exercise at Jerusalem according tothe customs of the heathen:15

And made themselves uncircumcised, and forsook the holy covenant,and joined themselves to the heathen, and were sold to do mischief.

2. This brought in a permanency of Hellenistic culture, the games, the

theater etc.

ii. Prosperity of the Aristocracy

1. While Nehemiah bailed out his people from a recession and shut down

commerce on the Sabbath, this group would bring in pagan materialism

and its low values with high profits.

2. Some believed many misfortunes were impacting the Jews because theymade no alliance with the Gentiles. (1 Macc. 1:11)


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11In those days went there out of Israel wicked men, who

persuaded many, saying, Let us go and make a covenantwith the heathen that are round about us: for since wedeparted from them we have had much sorrow.(1Ma 1:11 KJA)

iii. The Priesthood for sale to the highest bidder with the lowest Morals.

1. When the Priesthood became perverted Between 180- 176 BC:

2. The People Involved

a. Onias III

b. John Hyrcanus I of the Tobias Family

c. Simon captain of the Guard

d.

3. The Setting and story

a. When Nehemiah returned the high priesthood became to

position of influence.

b. Onias III, became pro- Ptolemy through a friendship with John

Hyrcanus I. He placed his fortues in the temple treasury. Since

there were no banks back then, this was a smart move to

protect his money.14

c. Simon, a captain of the guard, reported this to the Seleucids

since they always needed money (2 Macc. 3:6, 11).

d. The Seleucids attempt to rob the temple but fail

e. Simon later charges Onias III with treason plotting against the

Seleucids (2 Macc. 4:1-2).

f. That leader dies before a decision is made for Onias IIIg. Antiochus IV takes the throne and Simon offers a bribe to

replace him.

h. Onias III is sent to exile and Antiochus IV replaces him with his

brother Jason.

i. Jason was a liberal individual unlike Onias III. He was a good

choice for a liberal leader.

(1Macc 1:11 KJA)11

In those days went there out of Israelwicked men, who persuaded many, saying, Let us go and makea covenant with the heathen that are round about us: for sincewe departed from them we have had much sorrow.

(2Macc 4:11 KJA)11

And the royal privileges granted of specialfavor to the Jews by the means of John the father of Eupolemus,who went ambassador to Rome for amity and aid, he took away;and putting down the governments which were according to the

14Gowan, 73-74.


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law, he brought up new customs against the law:

j. From this time on the Seleucids and their successors, the

Romans, assumed the right to appoint and depose the Jewish

High Priest.15

d. Ptolemeys in Egypt16

i. Ptolemy Soter I

1. Alexanders Body Guard

2. General of Maccedonia

3. Satrap of Egypt

4. Pharaoh of Egypt

5. Saw Egypt as the region easily controlled

a. Cut off from the world

b. Ethinic and historic unity

c. All together created in Egypt a stable society

ii. The Unique shape Helenism took in Egypt

1. Although the goal of Hellenization was to meld cultures into a Greekculture, this was not the best fit for anyone seeking to rule Egypt.

2. Ptolemy I noted this for several reasons

3. Egypt is culturally different from most cultures in the Medeteranian and

Near East.

4. The system of Egypt was already in place.

a. Like a Pyramid, the Pharaoh was on topb. The Scribles and Priests and Pharaohs family ruled under them

c. The peasants were on the base upholding the rest.

5. Ptolemy I merely replaced the Pharonic state with himself and let the

rest remain.

6.

They established Alexandria as the new capitol, away from the ancient

capitols of Egpyt.

a. They were not interested in fusing with the people

b. Egyptian Peasents even needed a passport to enter the city.

c. The Romans refered to the city as Alexandria, next to Egypt

seen as separate.

iii. The Exploitation of Egypt by the Ptolemys

1. Ptolomey Micromanaged the commerce

a. Set up Alexandria by Alexander the great as a port for

commerce

b. Ptolemy used and kept it separate the cultures werent

interested in fusing cultures.

c. Documents

15Ibid, 74.

16Jeremy Mclnerny Alexander the Great and the Hellenistic Age Egypt Under the Early Ptolemies The

Teaching Company, Chantilly, VA) 2000. This whole section is attributed to a lecture delivered in this DVD series.


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i. Speak of the people having a seal of inspection or they

pay more

ii. measuring the depth of the

water in irrigation

iii. Even the tools used were accounted for.iv. All this to say they micro-managed and taxed on all

ends.

2. The #1 document from this period is the petition.

a. A man who is being mistreated by a Greek doing trade. (Writes

with Zenon and was dealing with Krotos)

i. Perhaps a camel driver

ii. Man wouldnt pay him

iii. He did not speak Greek and the man did not speak

Egyptian

iv. Never paid the manv. They have treated me with scorn because I dont speak

Greek

vi. Ouk Helonisto Dont speak Greek.b. A man whos home is confiscated by a Greek.

iv. The property was owned by the Ptolemy Pharaoh and Greeks in a document

about the region of Kerkeosiris

1. 52% owned by the Ptolemy himself, over of Egypt

2. 33% Greeks clerics (colonists)

3. 6% The Temple

4. 9% owned by the Egyptian Peasants to live off to supply all their needs

v. The use of coin

1. All Egyptians used copper coin

2. All outside of Egypt dealt with gold/silver bulioun.

3. In other words they kept the people dealing only with each other andunable to barter with those outside Egypt.

IV. SUMMARY OF THE MACCABEAN REVOLT17

A. Hellenistic Age.1. Picture of the Hellenistic Age.

a.Marked by cohersionb.Ordinary people afraid because of the uncertainty of the times

c.Cities were frequently left vulnerable unstable and were dependent on

benefactors

d.The Power of the Government was oppressive.

e.Danger of pirates and thieves and possible to be carried off as a slave.

2. Why didnt revolts take place?

a.Much of the ancient world was always like this.

b.Conditions in the ancient world were always like this.

c.Once you left the safety of the city and entered the wild you took your life

into your own hand by thieves and threats.

17Alexander and the Hellenistic Age Lecture 17 The Maccabean Revolt I The Teaching Company, 2000.


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d.Governments and Kings were most always oppressive

3. Revolts did take place.

a.Antiochus III ( ruled 223-187 BC )

1. Faced 7 years of rebellion

a. Achius Asia Minorb. King Molan in Media

c. Aristonicus

4. The best documented case of uprising is the Maccabean Rebellion

a.Came as a result of the desecration of the temple by soldiers of Antiochus IV.

B. Antiochus IV (Ruled 175-164 BC) and the Maccabean Revolt.1. Antiochus IV is seen as a precursor of an ancient example of a Hitler type of individual.

2. The Maccabean revolt has gained recent attention as an example of a successful military

resistance.

C. Differences of the revolt compared to the Holocaust.1. Although there were similarities there are very distinct differences2. There was no clear anti-Semitic context in the Hellenistic world.

a.The Greeks had not developed a sense that the Jews were an inferior race or

even a culture to be dismissed.b.Up until the late 4th century BC the Greeks new very little of Judea.

c.Hecetius, a historian at the end of the 4th century writes of the Judean Exodus

and mentions their departure from Egypt led to others departing as well, some

who even came to Greece.

1. He paints a picture of the Greeks origin as analogous to the Jews.

2. Definition: Analogous: Similar or alike in such a way as to permit the

drawing of an analogy.

3. No prior history of any legal restrictions place on the Jews prior to the Maccabean

Revolt

a.Unlike the SS laws passed against the Jews in 1933.

b.In fact, the Seleucids long dealt tolerantly with the Jewish people.D. A history of Seleucid tolerance of their Jewish subjects.

1. Antiochus II repeatedly negotiated with high ranking Jewish officials.

a.Jason, Menelaus, Lysimachus.

1. These men spoke Greek and the Seleucids saw them more as integrated

Greeks.

2. Presented them as Greek and were integrated and not seen as entirelyforeign at all.

2. The Jewish Community of Judea was not a ghetto but was its own self sustaining

province.

a.A separate and distinct region in the Seleucid empire

b.Paid its taxes on time,

c.Supported the Seleucid kings in their wars against the Ptolemys.

d.Judea was a peaceful, well integrated part of the Seleucid realm.

e.The Seleucids ruled a poly-ethnic empire, and they did so pragmatically; it was

not in their interest to antagonize the Jews.

1. All throughout the world they ruled multi ethnic people.2. Antiochus III and the Seleucids have recorded in Josephus evidence of

their tolerance and occasional benevolence toward the Jews


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3. Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews XII.3. 3-4

"Since the Jews, upon our first entrance on their country,

demonstrated their friendship towards us, and when we came to their

city [Jerusalem], received us in a splendid manner, and came to meet

us with their senate, and gave abundance of provisions to our soldiers,

and to the elephants.I would also have the work about the temple

finished, and the cloisters, and if there be anything else that ought to be

rebuilt. And for the materials of wood, let it be brought them out of

Judea itself and out of the other countries, and out of Libanus tax free;

and the same I would have observed as to those other materials which

will be necessary, in order to render the temple more glorious; and let

all of that nation live according to the laws of their own country; and

let the senate, and the priests, and the scribes of the temple, and the

sacred singers, be discharged from poll-money and the crown tax and

other taxes also..We also discharge them for the future from a third

part of their taxes, that the losses they have sustained may be repaired.

And all those citizens that have been carried away, and are become

slaves, we grant them and their children their freedom and give orderthat their substance be restored to them.".4. And these were the

contents of this epistle. He also published a decree through all his

kingdom in honor of the temple, which contained what follows: "It

shall be lawful for no foreigner to come within the limits of the temple

round about; which thing is forbidden also to the Jews, unless to those

who, according to their own custom, have purified themselves.

a. This shows the Seleucid policy to help repair the damage doneto the temple.

b. This policy not only shows tolerance, but respect of the Jews,

their religion, unique laws and customs.

4. 2 Maccabeus reflects back upon this time Prior to Antiochus IV withtheir favorable policy and respect of Judean religion.

a. 2 Maccabeus 3:1-3 While the holy city lived in perfect peace

and the laws were strictly observed because of the piety of

the high priest Onias and his hatred of evil, 2 the kings

themselves honored the Place and glorified the temple withthe most magnificent gifts. 33Thus Seleucus, king of Asia,

defrayed from his own revenues all the expenses necessary

for the sacrificial services.5. The question comes to bear; what provoked the Maccabean Revolt

since the disposition of the Seleucids seemed favorable to the Jews?

a.

The Answer, one man Antiochus IV (Antiochus Epiphanies,

Antiochus the Mad Man)

E. Antiochus IV The Champion of Hellenism

1. One man changes the policy of his father and fore fathers.

2. He believes his Job is to spread Hellenistic culture throughout his empire.

3. He attempted to create a common culture and worship through the Seleucid kingdom.

4. The Decree by Antiochus IV that kindled the fire of the Maccabean Revolt.
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/bible/2maccabees/2maccabees3.htm#foot3http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/bible/2maccabees/2maccabees3.htm#foot3http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/bible/2maccabees/2maccabees3.htm#foot3http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/bible/2maccabees/2maccabees3.htm#foot3


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a.I Maccabeus 1:42-50 Then the king wrote to his whole kingdom that all

should be one people, 42 each abandoning his particular customs. All the

Gentiles conformed to the command of the king, 43 and many Israelites

were in favor of his religion; they sacrificed to idols and profaned theSabbath. 44 The king sent messengers with letters to Jerusalem and to the

cities of Judah, ordering them to follow customs foreign to their land; 45to prohibit holocausts, sacrifices, and libations in the sanctuary, to profane

the Sabbaths and feast days, 46 to desecrate the sanctuary and the sacredministers, 47 to build pagan altars and temples and shrines, to sacrifice

swine and unclean animals, 48 to leave their sons uncircumcised, and to

let themselves be defiled with every kind of impurity and abomination, 49so that they might forget the law and change all their observances. 50

Whoever refused to act according to the command of the king should be

put to death.1. Although the king wrote to his whole kingdom there is a lack of

evidence throughout the entire kingdom.

2. Coinage continues to use previous general symbols

3. Some vassals in other areas of the Seleucids control seems to haveevidence of local cultic devotion.

4. Some scholars argue is an attempt of

5. IF Antiochus wrote a decree for the whole kingdom then the only

place we have evidence for this is the one place that chose to resist,

Judea.

b.Ruler Cult Theory

1. One explanation of this anomaly is the Ruler cult theory.2. This theory believes Antiochus IV was not issuing a kingdom wide

decree but was attempting to establish a ruler cult in Judea with the

hope of its popularity spreading.

3. He wished to be worshiped at Zeus Olympius (Father of the Gods).

4. However, this theory seems to lack credence also.

a. Antiochus IV seems to have permitted the worship of other

Gods as well.

b. He did take the title Epiphanies i.e. the God right here.

5. The idea of Antiochus entering the temple and converting it to a templeto Zeus, which he claimed to be, hardly seems like a person attempting

to win over people to a ruler cult.

5. When Cultures Clash?

a.Scholars perspective of the Maccabean/Antiochus IV conflict.

1. Many see this simplified as a clash of cultures.2. Greeks colliding with Jews.

3. Dr. Jeremy McInerney recommends we see it more as a clash in two

cultures fueled by small conflicts that compounded.

a. These other conflicts also involved Jews vs. Jews. Hellenized

and un Hellenized.

b. Jews in the city and Jews in the country.

6. Three major contributing factors to the Maccabean Revolt.


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a.The Plummeting fortunes of Antiochus IV.

1. He was the last Seleucid to rule unchallenged. But the crumble was

coming.

b.A power struggle in the families of the leading ranks in Jerusalem. (Hellenized

and UN-Hellenized Jews)

c.A widening gulf between the urban and country living Jews. (Orthodox and

Unorthodox Jews)

7. Three Factors examined.

a.The Plummeting fortunes of Antiochus IV

1. 189 Battle of Magnesia the Romans Defeat Antiochus III

a. Gave up all the Seleucid territory in Asia Minor.

b. The terms of this peace treaty would have crippled most rulers

c. Paid 10,000 talents over ten years at 1,000 talents of silver a

year.

d. All holdings of the Seleucids in what we know as Turkeyvanished overnight.

e. The Attalid

2. 168 Antiochus IV is forced to sign a peace treaty at Apamea with theRomans

a. Not a military defeat like his father, but a political one

b. Account recorded by Historian

i. Livy (ca. 64 B.C.-ca. A.D. 12), or Titus Livius, was a

Roman historian

c. Roman Magistrate. Gaius Popillius Laenas Recorded in Roman

Historian Livy

"After receiving the submission of the inhabitants of Memphis

and of the rest of the Egyptian people, some submitting

voluntarily, others under threats, [Antiochus] marched by

easy stages towards Alexandria. After crossing the river at

Eleusis, about four miles from Alexandria, he was met by the

Roman commissioners, to whom he gave a friendly greeting

and held out his hand to Popilius. Popilius, however, placed

in his hand the tablets on which was written the decree of the

senate and told him first of all to read that. After reading it

through he said he would call his friends into council and

consider what he ought to do. Popilius, stern and imperious

as ever, drew a circle round the king with the stick he was

carrying and said, "Before you step out of that circle give me

a reply to lay before the senate." For a few moments he

hesitated, astounded at such a peremptory order, and at last

replied, "I will do what the senate thinks right." Not till then

did Popilius extend his hand to the king as to a friend and

ally. Antiochus evacuated Egypt at the appointed date, and


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the commissioners exerted their authority to establish a

lasting concord between the brothers, as they had as yet

hardly made peace with each other." ( Livy Ab Urbe Condita,

xlv.12).

i. Is cold and indifferent to Antiochus IV.ii. Wants to see if he is friend or foe.

iii. Antiochus asks if he could discuss with his friends the

conditions of the treaty.

iv. In a bravado arrogant fashion Gaius Popillius Laenasdraws a circle around the man and says give your

answer before leaving the circle.

d. Forced to end his war

e. With Ptolemy immediately.

f. Romans clearly becoming the power brokers of the Greek

affairs.

g. Also gives us the humiliations suffered by Antiochus. Bluffed by

a Roman magistrate.

h. He reacts a year later with a parade like that the Romans gavePtolemy.

i. 50,000 men

ii. All the fanfare of Hellenistic wealth.

iii. He was sending a message that neither Rome nor Egypt

meant anything to the Seleucids. They had their own

power and glory apart from them.

V. Biography of Key Hellenistic Figures.

A. Outline of Historical Figures

1. Antiochus IV Epiphanies (175-163 BC)2. Judas The Maccabee (164-161 BC)

3. John Hyrcanus I (135-104 BC)

4. Judah Aristobulus I (104-103 BC)

5. Alexander (Jonathan) Jannaeus (103-76 BC)

B. Antiochus IV Epiphanies (175-163 BC)

1. SOURCES: Old Testament:Daniel 9:27; 11:31; 11:25-32 Josephus:Ant. x,

(276); xii, (153);xii, (242-361, 393); xiii, (35, 243, 292); xv, (41); Jewish Wars

(B.J.) i, (19,39); v (394,460); vii, (44, 221); Against Apion i,(34); ii, (80, 83);Apocrypha Pesudapigrapha: 1 Macc. 1:1-6:17;2 Macc. 1:1-10:9; 4 Macc. 4-

5; Dead Sea Scrolls: 4Q248; Greek and Latin Authors:Livy Ab Urbe Condita,

xlv.12; Strabos Cappadox 83; Porphyry 464q-r;Appolonius Molon 88;

Tacitus, Historiae V. 8:2.

2. Some call him the ultimate villain of Jewish history. Others used the titles

god and king. Revelation would use his description from Daniel for the
http://mcadams.posc.mu.edu/txt/ah/Livy/Livy45.htmlhttp://mcadams.posc.mu.edu/txt/ah/Livy/Livy45.htmlhttp://mcadams.posc.mu.edu/txt/ah/Livy/Livy45.html


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picture of the anti-Christ. Some men make history. Others, like Antiochus IV

are the victims of their circumstances. Jews believe that the book of Daniel

prophesies about him as the king of the north but Christians will argue the

references are merely for the anti-Christ. The historian Porphyry rejected

the Christian view favoring the Jewish position but believed Daniel was

historical propaganda that was written after the events. An alternative beliefsuggests that Daniel speaks to both Antiochus Epiphanies IV and the anti-

Christ.

3. Seleucid was one of four generals that divided Alexander the Greats

kingdom after his death. The Seleucids ruled from Babylon to Syria.

Antiochus father was Antiochus III, The Great, the fifth ruler of the Seleucid

Empire. He was known for his religious tolerance of the Jews while his son

would be remembered for their persecution. Ptolemy, another general of

Alexander, controlled Egypt. Both fought for control of Israel for trade and a

military buffer zone. In 190 B.C. Antiochus III was defeated by Rome at the

battle of Magnesia. The Romans reduced his army, took away large

territories of his kingdom and forced him to pay 15,000 talents of gold. That

is 855,000 lbs. or the equivalent of 428 pick-up trucks of solid gold. When

Antiochus IV inherited the kingdom, it was bankrupt. The financial strain and

Roman threat caused him to grasp Israel so tightly that revolution resulted.

4. To gather wealth for this debt, Antiochus IV traveled to Egypt to plunder the

Ptolemies. He arrived to find the Roman General Popilius standing with his

enemy. They drew a circle around Antiochus IV and asked if he wanted war

or peace. They demanded a final before allowing him to take a step.18

Antiochus IV choose peace and returned home. Upon his return home, he

plundered the temple of Jerusalem. Antiochus IV had a habit of plundering

temples to pay his debts. Once he attacked the temple of Diana whose

priests resisted and prevailed. The king left without treasure.

5. To strengthen his hold on the only

servants left in his empire, the king

declared himself a god, Epiphanies.

He struck coins and carved statues thatdepicted him as Zeus. An image of the

deity was erected in the Jewish Temple

in Jerusalem (2 Macc. 6:1-2) and a cart

bearing an altar of incense and a statue

18Jeremy McInerney,Alexander the Great and the Hellenistic Age: DVD-ROM (Chantilly, VA: The Teaching

Company, 2000).

Figure 1
http://www.teach12.com/tgc/courses/course_detail.aspx?cid=327http://www.teach12.com/tgc/courses/course_detail.aspx?cid=327http://www.teach12.com/tgc/courses/course_detail.aspx?cid=327http://www.teach12.com/tgc/courses/course_detail.aspx?cid=327


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of the king was sent throughout the land for Jews to worship his image.

When the cart reached Modein, a man by the name of Mattathias, speared

two men to the cart and sent it back to Antiochus IV with the message that

they would not bow to his image. This man and his sons began what we call

the Maccabean War. Eventually his children gained independence for the

nation only to surrender it back to Rome several generations later.

C. Judas The Maccabee (164-161 BC)

1. SOURCES: Josephus Ant. xii, (327-434)Apocrypha Pesudapigrapha: I

Maccabees 5-9:22; 2 Maccabees 12-15; Rabbinic Traditions: Megillath

Taanith 30.

2. Titles reside for the reputation of our deeds. Judas earned the nick name,

The Hammer (Maccabee in Greek), for mercilessly pounding hammer- like

blows to the superpowers of his day: Rome and Greece. Judas was the son

of Mattathias and became his replacement as general.19

His father was

remembered for starting the Maccabean revolt but Judas was the military

general that made this a reality. Initially, Judas, his brothers and their

company engage the enemy with hit and run tactics similar to contemporary

guerilla warfare. Residing in caves, they surfaced to slaughter the enemy,

sowing confusion and disappear into the shadows. The author of 1

Maccabees depicts him as the new David, who took the sword of his enemy

and pursued them all the way to the Philistine coast (in I Macc. 3:10-24. I

Macc. 3:12; I Sam. 21:9 cf. I Sam. 17:51; I Sam. 17:52-53 cf. I Macc. 3:12,

24). The Seleucid army retaliated and gathered in the Valley of Ajalon, by the

city of Emmaus. In a moment of brilliance, Judas deceives and divides theenemy. 1 Maccabees records that, Israel had a great deliverance that day(1 Macc. 4:24). They battled their way to Jerusalem and cleansed the temple,

(2 Macc. 10:1-9) establishing the holiday we know as Hanukah.

3. The struggle of Judas transitioned from the battlefield to the High Priesthood.Alcimus, a contender for the position, turned to the Seleucid ruler Demetrius

for installation.20

Since the Temple was the national treasury, it became

politicized. Judas never officially held the office despite one disputed

reference from Josephus. Undoubtedly, he was fully general unto his lastbreath. The Seleucid Empire became unstable as contenders reached for the

throne. Judas capitalized on their conflict and gained the support of Rome forJewish independence. Eventually, Demetrius sent his general Nicanor tomarch against Judas and Jerusalem. He mocked the priests and threatened to

19Geza Vermes editor, The History of the Jewish People in the Age of Jesus Christ (175 B.C.- 135 A.D.) Vol. I.

A New English Revised Ed. (Edinburgh, England: T & T Clark LTD, 1973), 164.

20Ibid., 169.


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burn the city but never got the opportunity. He fell in battle and the Jews

established a celebration around the day of his death, Nicanor Day (1 Macc

7:39-50) and great morning fell through all Israel.

D. John Hyrcanus I (135-104 BC)

1. SOURCES:Josephus,Ant. xiii, (230-300); Jewish Wars (B.J.) i, (55-69).

Apocrypha Pseudepigrapha, I Macc. 16:23-24; Rabbinic Literature: Mishnah

Maaser Sheni 5:15; Sotah 9:10.

2. Hyrcanus I rose to leadership during the Maccabean revolt upon the fall of hisfather Simon. Simon was lured by the sweet words of peace by the enemy to

the fortress of Doq, only to taste the bitter sword of murder. His enemy addedthe torture and murder of his mother then escaped to Philadelphia in Jordan.

His vengeful son surrounded the citadel.21

In the North, the Seleucids were amidst a coupe and Hyrcanus I allowed themto barter for his loyalty. Secretly he

gained the support of Rome to ensure

they kept their word.22

The result

was the political recognition for theindependence of the Jewish nation

by Rome and was tolerated by Syria.

The Lilly coin of Syria was the lastSeleucid coin of Judea marking an

end to their reign.

3. John Hyrcanus I was the first rulerafter David to hold the office of

prophet, priest and king, (J.W. i,168 cf.

Ant xiii, 282). Hyrcanus plundered the tomb of David, purchased

mercenaries and declared war on all non-Jewish neighbors in prejudice andbrutality. 23

4. Domestically he sided with the Sadducees and marginalized the authority ofthe scribes. The Talmud recalls his disdain; And what will happen to theTorah? -It will be wrapped up and laid in a corner, and all who wish to come

21Abraham Schalit, The World History of the Jewish People Vol. 6: Political History of Jewish

Palestine from 332 BCE to 67 BCE(New Brunswick, Canada: Rutgers University Press, 1972), 211.

22Ibid., 219-220.

23Schalit, 217-219.

Figure 2


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and study it, let them come and study.24

The beauty of Priestly robes became

soiled from Greek-like diadems and behavior.

5. Under Hyrcanus, the Hasmonean house sided with the Sadducees andmarginalized the scribes or Pharisees. This divided sage and priest. The

Pharisees demanded the kings resignation from the High Priesthood, but herefused. The Mishnah reflects this hostility where the Pharisees determined

that the bones of a donkey were clean but not the bones of John Hyrcanus I.25

The Sadducees became an aristocracy of wealthy men who were not interestedin study of the Law, placing it to the side of political and financial gain. The

Monarchy of Judah began to define itself in the virtues of becoming more like

a Greek king rather than a kingdom of priests. Victor Tcherikover says it

well; And then came the great change: the Hasmonean took the road of

monarchy; the power of the High Priest became a secular authority.26

E. Judah Aristobulus I (104-103 BC)

1. SOURCES: JosephusAnt. xiii, (301-319); Jewish Wars (B.J.) i, (70-84).

2. How much damage can a person do in a year? Aristobulus I might have

destroyed centuries of Jewish identity and culture, had he reigned longer.

He was the son of John Hyrcanus I, brother to Alexander Jannaeus and king

for only one year. Irony and Josephus would declare him the first Jew in 481

years to wear the diadem on his head (Ant. xiii, 301). His first coins read,

Judah the High Priest and the Community of the Jews (Hever ha-Yehhdim).

27

None of the coins he minted ever mentioned him as king but the crown on

his head made him more Greek than previous Hasmonean.

3. Like his father, Aristobulus was a Sadducee who took away more of the

Jewish identity. Under Aristobulus reign, the name of the Jewish community

or counsel of the Jews became Hever ha-Yehhdim and in the Greek, the

Sanhedrin.28

The identity ofthe community of the Jewsmay have been

on his coins, but their title, like his crown, was seen and spoken in Greek

terms. He was close to his brother Antigonus and together they led military

campaigns. Josephus says he made him equal while throwing all other kin

24Victor Tcherikover, Hellenistic Civilization and the Jews (Philadelphia, PA: Jewish Publication Society of

America, 1959), 43, 494.

25Jacob Neusner, The Mishnah: A New Translation (New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 1988), 1131.

26Tcherikover, 263.

27Schalit, 224.

28Ibid.


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and his mother in prison (Jewish Wars i, 71). Like many crowns, the one

Aristobulus I wore held the weight of suspicion and jealousy. When he

showed signs of disease, his mother conspired for the murder of her sons.

She poisoned the kings mind with suggestions that Antigonus was

attempting to steal the throne by force. Their mother convinced the prince

that his king wished to see his new armor. In the kings ear she whisperedthat his brother had come to kill him. Antigonus was killed before reaching

the throne. Days later, Aristobulus died of internal bleeding from a disease.

The Queen released the family from prison and placed Alexander Jannaeus

on the throne (Jewish Wars i, 74-85).

F. Alexander (Jonathan) Jannaeus (103-76 BC)

G.

1. SOURCES:Josephus: Ant. xiii, (320-406); Jewish Wars (B.J.) i, (85-106);Apocrypha Pseudepigrapha: Dead Sea Scrolls: I QpNah I 2 on Nahum 2:12; I

QpNah I 6-8 on Nah. 2:13 RabbinicTraditions: Genesis rabbah 91:3,yBerakhoth 11b, 48a; b. Yoma 25b, b. Sukkah 48b, b. Kiddushin 66a,

2. History is like a well written tragedy. Many people who enter the storyheroically exit as villains. Alexander Jannaeus is one such actor on the stage.

After the death of Aristobulus I, Alexander Jannaeus assumed the throne.29

The beginning of his reign was described as moderate.30

However, by the

end of his reign he earned him the title murderer from his countrymen for

his butcheries.31

Jannaeus assumes the office of king and high priest. His

coins initially were stamped in Hebrew, Jonathan, The High Priest and the

Council of the Jews.32

As time progressed they read in Hebrew and finally in

Greek, Of Alexander the King.33 As this Jewish High Priest was captivated

by Hellenization he began to look more like the Greek kings of the East rather

than Aaron, David or the priestly kings of old.34

Alexander felt the burden of furthering the campaigns of his fore-fathers.

Judah was losing revenue because the coastal cities of the Galilee were

abandoned in the days of Simon (I Macc. 5:1-10). He declared war on the coastal

region of the Galilee and experienced success until coming to Acco (then known

29Schalit, 225. Scholars like Schalit believe his proper name is Jannaeus Alexander because the initial

reference to him is by that title.

30Ibid., 227. He cites Ant. xiii, 321 & Jewish Wars (B.J.) i, 85 (metrio,thj).

31Ibid., 232-233.

32David Hendin, Guide to Biblical Coins (NY, NY: Amphora Books, 1987), 43-47.

33Ibid., 43-47.

34Schalit, 232.


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as Ptolemies). The Greeks advanced against the Hasmonean king from Egypt.

He fled from the battle and the Greeks struck down the fleeing Jews until their

swords became blunted with killing and their hands were utterly tiered (Ant. xii,

344). This caused the kings popularity to diminish.

The second decline of his adoration was due to his lack of piety for the

peoples traditions. The Pharisees added a ceremony to the Feast of Boothswhere the high priest would offer a cup of water on the ground before the

altar.35

The Sadducees, whom Jannaeus sided with,

rejected the oral traditions. Instead of offering the

libation (water) on the ground he poured it on his feet

as a mockery of the Pharisaic ritual. The crowd

responded by pelting him with fruit and calling him the

son of a captive.36

A civil war between the Pharisees

and the Saddusaic king ensued for six years (90-85

BC).37

Jannaeus attempted to make peace with the

Pharisees but when he inquired about what he could

do to reconcile them to their king, they replied, Die!

The Pharisees sought the support of the Seleucids to

overthrow their disappointing king. They felt it would be

better to be a vassal nation with pure religion than have

freedom with an apostate king. Since Alexander Jannaeus was hiring

mercenaries in his war against the Pharisees, they felt justified for such an

alliance.38

The enraged king called the Pharisaic leaders Hypocrites, because

they used their religion as a mask to hide their barbaric desire for war.

The Pharisaic army and Seleucid king Demetrius Eukairos met Jannaeus

near Shechem but the Greek ruler withdrew. The events that followed were

horrifying. Alexander brought the captives to Jerusalem where he crucified 800,slitting the throats of their families before their eyes. Alexander Jannaeus

enjoyed a feast with his concubines in the presence of this slaughter. This event

struck so much fear in the hearts of his opponents that over 8,000 Jews fled from

the country. The authors of the Dead Sea Scrolls called him a young furious

lion who hangs men alive on a tree for this act of cruelty (I QpNah I 2 on Na

2:12; I QpNah I 6-8 on Na 2:13).39

35M. Sukkah 4:9.

36Ant. xiii.372. This same event is found in in the Babylonian Talmud (Suk. 48b), as well as the Tosefta,

(Tosef. Suk. 3.16). The insult son of a captive woman, was also used against his father Hyrcanus I (Barayta in Qid.

66a).37

Schalit, 231.

38Schalit, 229-231. Josephus records, No fewer than 50,000 Jews were the casualty of this religious civil

war. cf. Ant. xiii, 376; Jewish Wars (B.J.) i, 91.

39Geza Vermes, The History of the Jewish People in the Age of Jesus Christ, Vol. 1 (EdinBurgh, England: T &

T Clark, 1974), 25.

Figure 4


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At the end of his life, Jannaeus makes peace with the Pharisees. A

disease and heavy drinking overtook the king. He persuaded his wife Alexandra

to make peace with the Pharisees and even hand his corpse over to them to do

with it what they wish. Instead of disgracing his body, they give it a kings burial.

The coins toward the end of his reign reflected this attempt for reconciliation by

returning to the Jewish inscription The Council of the Jews. Although hediffered with the Pharisaic Jews, he loved the Torah and it is believed that he

ordered a scroll to be made that had the name of Yahweh in Gold throughout.40

H. Antigonus (40-37 BC)

1. SOURCES: Josephus: xiv, (370-419) Jewish Wars (B.J.) i, (274-375) Greek andLatin Authors Strabo of Amaseia, 108; Plutarch 264-266; Cassius Dio, 413-

414.

2. All good things must end and every sunset gives way to darkness. Antigonus

was the setting sun of the Hasmonean dynasty and began the darkness of

Herods reign. Herod was half Jewish while Antigonus was fully a Hasmonean

prince. Antigonus possessed the proper nationality, valor, intelligence and

military skills that resisted Rome. All fit perfectly under the robes of a High

Priest that could never be worn by Herod, the half Iddumean (Edomite).

3. Ironically, his Hebrew name was Mattathias.41 Antigonus coinsproclaimed the title High Priest and King like the Hasmonean beforehim.42 In negotiation, he bartered portions of Judea to Cleopatra for her

support. As a general, he vested Rome and Herod as a viable threat. His

claim to the throne was so threatening that Herod bribed Mark Anthony to

behead the prince. Mark Anthony executed him because of the threat herepresented to Roman control of the region. Before the cross claimed the

princes life, he nearly plundered all that was dear to Herod. To the Jews, hewas a messiah. Although the loyalty of the people resonated with him, the

support of Rome remained in Herod.

4. Antigonus gathered support from the Iranian tribe called the Parthiansand left for Jerusalem with ambition for the crown. While Herod fled for his

life, a cart carrying his mother overturned. Suspecting she was dead, heconsidered suicide. Upon the pleas of the soldiers, he did not take his life but

vented full fury on the pursuing Parthians. Placing his company on thefortress Masada, he fled for help to Rome. There Augustus Caesar crowned

40Schalit, 237.

41Vermes, 281.

42Ibid.


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him king of the Jews and he returned with Roman legions that corner the

Hasmonean prince in Jerusalem. When the city fell, Antigonus was placed in

irons and begged for his life in vain. Antigonus sun set and Herods darkness

dawned but Christs morning star would pierce the darkness and take Herodstitle from him, king of the Jews. Antigonus would have liked that ending.