After alexander, before_rome_-_project_1 (2)

After Alexander; After Alexander; Before RomeBefore Rome

The Ptolemaic, Seleucid Rule, The Ptolemaic, Seleucid Rule, Maccabean War & Hasmonean Maccabean War & Hasmonean

Dynasty (320-63 BC)Dynasty (320-63 BC)

By Jennifer StasneyBy Jennifer Stasney


• Ptolemaic Rule (320-198 BC)

Ptolemy I Soter –

Trusted General of Alexander the Great

Governor, then King of Egypt

Capital at AlexandriaHellenized Northern Cities

(Forced Greek ways on)


• Judean Life under Ptolemy

Enjoyed relative freedom

Paid taxes to local Ptolemic governor

Many lived in other areas- thus called

The Diaspora or Dispersion

-Hellenized Jews


• Hellenized Jews

Began to speak Common Greek

Youth drawn into social/athletic centers

Clothing styles changed

Corrosion of traditional Jewish lifestyle


• Septuagint Written 250 BC – Greek Translation of Hebrew Bible

Six men from each tribe who were fluent in Greek & Hebrew were chosen

Traveled and worked in Alexandria72 days of workSponsored by Ptolemy PhiladelphusBecame the standard used


• Seleucid Rule Seleucus I Nicator-

Trusted general of Alexander the GreatRuled Babylon, the upper Euphrates

valleys, Syria, and Asia MinorSeleucid Rule in Palestine (198-167 BC)

Control of Judea began following successful war against Ptolemies


• Seleucid Rule under Rome

Antiochus was defeated by Scipio of Rome in Turkey

True control of the region was now under Roman control

Antiochus sued for peace – allowed to continue rule


• Antiochus IV, Epiphanes

Allowed by Rome to rule 175 BC

Continued to take bribes for high priest position

Jason & Menelaus, Hellenizers, ran Temple

Assumed title “manifestation”- the revealing of God on earth


• Antiochus IV, Epiphanes Defeated by Rome in Egypt 168 BC

Judeans rebelled- Epiphanes- Sacked Jerusalem Tore down walls Looted Temple treasury Outlawed-

Temple Festivals, Circumcision, Possession of Scriptures


• Desecration of the Temple

Worship of Zeus became mandatory

Acra- pagan citadel established in Jerusalem

Pigs sacrificed in the Temple for three years

Fulfilling the desecration of the Temple – Daniel 11:31


• RebellionHasidim (pious ones) had been in opposition toHellenism for years

Criticized youthful compromiseTemple Desecration caused outrage among all Jews Men rebelled against forced worship of Zeus

Eleazar, priest, refused to sacrifice to Zeus— stoned to death


• Maccabean WarMattathias, priest, refused to compromise

Killed Greek soldiers forcing him to worship

Zeus in Modein

Sons: Judas, Simon, Eleazar & Jonathan- fled with him

Judeans began to fight


• Maccabean WarSon, Judas leads the war after Mattathias dies

nicknamed “Maccabeus”- hammer

Won battles in Emmaus & Beth-Zur

Cleansed the Temple in 164 BC- inaugurated

the festival of lights (Hanukkah)

Defeated Antiochia (Jerusalem), built a palace


• Hasmonean Dynasty (141-63 BC)

Judas’ brother Jonathan established peace with Rome- rule continued thru this family

Judas & Jonathan die in battle

Simon declared “high priest forever until a trustworthy prophet should arise,” by a popular assembly


• Hasmonean Dynasty

Jewish calendar reset to begin with this theocracy

Jewish money minted

True Jewish autonomy gained


• Growing Dynasty

John Hyrcanus I, Simon’s Son, expanded the Kingdom

Hired professional mercenaries

Territory stretched from Samaria northward, Idumea southward

Almost as large as during the time of

David & Solomon


• Crumbling DynastyThe Hasmoneans began to consolidate power

& wealth Conflict with the Pharisees (Hasidim) intensified

leading to the death of 100’s of PhariseesSix thousand Jews massacred after they

ridiculed Alexander Jannaeus when he was serving as high priest

All of this led to a complete defeat to Rome in 63 BC

• Bibliography:– The New Testament in Antiquity

by: Gary Burge, Lynn Cohick, Gene Green– Encountering the New Testament

by: Walter A. Elwell, Robert W. Yarbrough

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After alexander, before_rome_-_project_1 (2)