Lecture 11: February 10, 2011

We began Thursday's lecture with the topic of Hellenistic Jerusalem, a very interesting topic in my opinion because it is a time of Greek influence in Jerusalem.  During the Hellenistic Period, Apocrypha and Josephus played an important role--they were two important sources within Hellenism. Dr. Cargill went over the definition of Palestine, which was applied to the territory of Jerusalem by the Romans. Then, we moved into the era of Alexander--looking at multiple images of him and a map of the his conquests. I found it fascinating how much Alexander had traveled through the time of 336-323 BCE. We looked at the four different periods where the Priests had leadership (Early Persian, Middle Persian, Late Persian, and Hellenistic). Joshua, Ezra, and Yohanan were priests in the Persian Periods, where during the Hellenistic Period there was a "high priest". I was intrigued to learn about Ptolemies; with names such as "Savior", "Mother-lover", "Benefactor", and "God Manifest". Dr. Cargill moved on to Seleucids, who hellenized the Jews aggressively. The Seleucids were successful in turning Jerusalem into Polis (A center of Greek life). They imposed their culture and ideas throughout the land. The Greeks regarded the Polis as the highest and most natural Civil institution. This Hellenization was not all positive; it stirred conflict and problems arose with conservative Jews who wanted everything to remain how it once was. The Political Uncertainty within Jerusalem attracted Social and Economic Experimentation, for example the Gymnasium and Theatre. What I found most interesting was a slide Dr. Cargill introduced on how even the Bible went Greek. To believe that even the Bible was translated into Greek and become the most widely used Jewish Bible was fascinating.
During Hellenization, every aspect of Jewish life was effected. For example: Architecture, Art, Literature, Philosophy, Religion, Education, and Language were changed. Jewish infighting became intense, which led to sects and factions. This caused the Maccabean Revolt to begin. It was led by Judas Maccabaeus, they employed guerrilla tactics against the Seleucid army, which was superior. However, Jerusalem was taken back and Jewish self-rule took place for the next 100 years. They resumed the sacrificial system, and established Hanukkah. Hasmonean coins were created as well. Throughout the Hasmonean Dynasty, Jewish territory was expanded. Also, there was rebuilding on the lines of the "First Kings". However, bad came with good. The rulers of the Hasmonean Dynasty were becoming extremely Hellenized, secular, and corrupt. They were insensitive to Jewish religious tradition, they employed mercenary soldiers, and assumed the office of the High Priest as well as the King (which is ironic). Eventually, the Romans took over once again in 63 BCE by Pompey.