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Jews and the Greeks

Jews and the Greeks. It’s all Greek to me. Persian empire was conquered by the Greeks (led by Alexander the Great) in 332 BCE. At first, this meant nothing but after Alexander’s death, the empire was split into generals, only two whom are important to Jewish History:

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Jews and the Greeks

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  1. Jews and the Greeks

  2. It’s all Greek to me • Persian empire was conquered by the Greeks (led by Alexander the Great) in 332 BCE. • At first, this meant nothing but after Alexander’s death, the empire was split into generals, only two whom are important to Jewish History: • Seleucas: He formed the Seleucid empire and had control over what had been the Persian empire • Ptolemy: He formed the Ptolemaic empire and had control over Egypt

  3. The ptal and short of it • For most of the next century, Jerusalem and Judean kingdom were ruled by the Ptolemaic empire and life was so good that Jews spoke only Greek and Jews became “Hellenized” • Hellenization- assimilation into the Greek culture

  4. This period of calm came to an end when Judea fell under control of the Seleucid emperor Antiochus IV, around 176 BCE. • He wanted complete assimilation, or else, death! • Life got worse for the Jews when Antiochus looted the Second Temple, removed the current High Priest, and then replaced him with a friend of his, who wasn’t even an official priest.

  5. A Parting of Ways • After 15 years of increasingly harsh rule under Antiochus, rebellion broke out. • It began with a small town Jewish priest called Mattathias who, with his sons, used guerilla warfare tactics to attack the Seleucid armies and the false High Priests, as well as destroy the Greek pagan temples. • Mattathias died in battle but his sons fought on, especially Judah, who soon became knows as Judah Maccabee (“Judah the Hammer”)

  6. A year later, Jerusalem was recaptured by the religious Jews and the Temple was rededicated, ending about 175 years of Greek rule over the city, a feat that is to this day celebrated on Chanukah. • Unfortunately, once the Maccabees were in power, they became as tight-fisted as the Seleucids they had conquered. • After a short time, all Maccabee had been assassinated or died and the last Maccabee, Simeon, decided to appoint himself king. • His dynasty, (known as the Hasmonean dynasty) lasted a century- a century of turmoil. *show video*- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJWIgVBDkfo *show video*- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSJCSR4MuhU

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