Greek Period: Hellenism & Alexander the Great

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Questions and Answers

How did the rule of Pontius Pilate differ from that of the procurators who governed Judah between 6 CE and 26 CE, and what was the result of his actions?

Unlike his predecessors, Pontius Pilate was a harsh ruler who imposed heavy taxes and disrespected Jewish religious customs, leading to increased tension and resentment among the Jewish population. He also crucified Jesus.

What critical decision was made in 6 CE by a group of Pharisees and what impact did this decision have on the governance of Judah?

In 6 CE, a delegation of Pharisees traveled to Rome and requested the removal of Herod's dynasty. This led to Judah becoming a Roman province.

Describe the actions taken by Simon, the brother of Judah Maccabee, to consolidate Jewish autonomy following the Maccabean Revolt.

Simon became the leader and high priest, and was elected as president by the assembly. He successfully gained independence from the Greeks for the Jewish people.

Explain how John Hyrcanus expanded Hasmonean territory and discuss associated controversy.

John Hyrcanus expanded Hasmonean territory through wars and conquests and is believed to have forced conversions to Judaism. These policies were criticized by the Pharisees. Signup and view all the answers

What factors led to the Pharisees' opposition to Aristobulus, and what did these factors reveal about the evolving nature of Hasmonean rule?

The Pharisees opposed Aristobulus because he was Hellenized and declared himself king despite not being from the House of David. This shows a departure from traditional Jewish values and an increasing embrace of Hellenistic customs within the Hasmonean dynasty. Signup and view all the answers

How did Alexander Yanai's dual role as both priest and king influence the expansion of the Hasmonean kingdom, and what potential conflicts did this dual role create?

As both priest and king, Alexander Yanai used his combined religious and political authority to expand the kingdom by conquering non-Jewish cities. However, this dual role likely caused conflicts due to the differing expectations and responsibilities associated with each position. Signup and view all the answers

How did the actions of Jonathan contribute to the rise of the Hasmonean Dynasty, and what ultimately led to his death?

Jonathan developed a relationship with the royal family of Syria and was appointed as a high priest in Judah. He was later assassinated by the king of Syria. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the sequence of events that marked the downfall of Judea, starting with the outbreak of the great revolt and ending with the fall of Masada.

The downfall of Judea began with The Great Revolt against the Romans in 66 CE, followed by the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE, and concluded with the fall of Masada in 73 CE. Signup and view all the answers

Describe how Jason's actions as high priest contributed to the growing tensions that led to the Maccabean revolt.

Jason, as high priest, spread Hellenism by turning Jerusalem into a polis, building a gymnasium and bathhouse, and even renaming the city, which angered traditional Jews and increased tensions. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the significance of Antiochus placing a statue of Zeus in the Temple on the 25th of Kislev, 168 BCE.

Placing the statue of Zeus in the Temple and sacrificing pigs was a deliberate act of desecration and a direct assault on the Jewish religion, which served as a major catalyst for the Maccabean revolt. Signup and view all the answers

What motivated Mattathias to leave Jerusalem and move to Modein?

Mattathias left Jerusalem because he did not want his sons to live in a Hellenized city and wanted to preserve their Jewish identity and traditions. Signup and view all the answers

How did Menelaus's actions as high priest further undermine Jewish autonomy and religious practices?

Menelaus bribed Antiochus to become high priest and stole gold from the Temple to pay the bribe, leading to riots and further intervention by Antiochus against Jewish practices. Signup and view all the answers

Summarize the key reasons for the revolt against the Greeks, as highlighted in the text.

The key reasons include Antiochus's forced Hellenization, his appointment of Hellenistic priests, Menelaus's temple desecration, Antiochus's religious decrees, and the placement of a Zeus altar in the Temple. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the significance of Mattathias's call, "Let everyone who is zealous for the law and who stands by the covenant - Follow me!"

This call was a rallying cry for those who opposed Hellenization and were determined to uphold Jewish law and tradition, marking the start of an organized rebellion. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the role of the Hassidim in the events leading up to the Maccabean revolt.

The Hassidim were strongly against Hellenism and horrified by the events in Jerusalem. They chose to leave the city and live in remote villages to maintain their religious purity. Signup and view all the answers

How did Antiochus's decrees forbidding Jewish practices contribute to the revolt?

By forbidding circumcision, Shabbat observance, and Torah study, Antiochus directly attacked core elements of Jewish identity, provoking widespread resistance and fueling the revolt. Signup and view all the answers

Explain how Alexander the Great’s acceptance of local practices in conquered lands contributed to the spread of Hellenistic culture.

By accepting local practices, Alexander created an environment where Greek culture could mix with existing traditions. This syncretism made Hellenistic culture more appealing and accessible to diverse populations, facilitating its spread. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the significance of the Septuagint for the Jewish community in Alexandria and future generations.

The Septuagint made the Torah accessible to Greek-speaking Jews in Alexandria who did not understand Hebrew. This ensured the continuation of Jewish traditions and teachings within the Diaspora and for future generations who primarily spoke Greek. Signup and view all the answers

How did the architecture and practices within the Great Synagogue in Alexandria reflect the influence of Hellenism on Jewish life?

The Great Synagogue incorporated Greek architectural elements like colonnades. Practices such as using a sexton to signal when to say “Amen” indicate that congregants were not fluent in Hebrew prayer. This showcased a blend of Jewish tradition with Hellenistic culture. Signup and view all the answers

Explain how Jason's actions as high priest under Antiochus IV contributed to the Maccabean Revolt.

Jason implemented Hellenistic reforms, such as turning Jerusalem into a polis and building un-Jewish facilities. These actions were viewed as a threat to Jewish traditions and identity and helped incite resistance that ultimately led to the Maccabean Revolt. Signup and view all the answers

In what ways did Alexander the Great's conquest of Judah differ from subsequent rule under leaders like Antiochus?

Alexander the Great treated the Jews with kindness and granted them autonomy, whereas Antiochus implemented policies that suppressed Jewish practices and promoted Hellenistic culture, leading to conflict. Signup and view all the answers

What strategic advantage did controlling Judah offer to the Seleucid and Ptolemaic kingdoms after Alexander's death?

Judah was strategically located between the Seleucid and Ptolemaic kingdoms, making it a valuable territory for controlling trade routes and maintaining regional influence. Signup and view all the answers

How did the needs of the Jewish community in Alexandria lead to the creation of the Septuagint, and what does this tell us about the relationship between language and cultural preservation?

The Jewish community in Alexandria needed the Septuagint because many no longer spoke Hebrew but Greek. This illustrates how translating religious texts helps preserve cultural and religious identity when a community's primary language shifts. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the delicate balance the Jews living in Alexandria had to strike between Hellenism and their own culture.

The Jews balanced their traditions and Hellenism, they decorated their Synagogue's with Greek poles/colonnades, meanwhile, they still needed a sexton (Chazan/Cantor) to wave a scarf to tell the Jews when to say 'Amen' because they were Hellenized and did not know how to pray and did not know the Hebrew language. Signup and view all the answers

How did Alexander Yannai's actions during the Sukkot festival reflect the tensions between him and the Pharisees?

Alexander Yannai was stoned with Etrogim by the Pharisees during the Sukkot ceremony in the Temple, showing their opposition to his leadership and religious practices. Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of Salome Alexandra's reign in relation to the Pharisees and how did it differ from her husband's?

Salome Alexandra made peace with the Pharisees, reversing her husband's policies, ceasing conquests, and earning her the name Shlomzion, meaning 'Peace on Zion'. Signup and view all the answers

What were the main criticisms of the Hasmonean rulers by the Pharisees?

The Pharisees criticized the Hasmoneans for becoming Hellenized, forcing conversion of the Idumeans, their policy of conquest, following Sadducee customs, becoming high priests without Zadok lineage, becoming kings without Davidic lineage, and combining the roles of king and high priest. Signup and view all the answers

In what ways did Herod attempt to legitimize his rule, and how did his actions also undermine his legitimacy?

Herod renovated the Temple to gain favor but undermined his legitimacy by placing a Roman eagle on the Temple's gate, offending Jewish religious sensibilities. Signup and view all the answers

Why did Alexander Yannai advise his wife, Salome Alexandra, to make peace with the Pharisees before his death?

Yannai advised Salome Alexandra to reconcile with the Pharisees to ensure the stability of her reign, recognizing their influence and the potential for unrest if they remained alienated. Signup and view all the answers

How did the combination of the roles of king and high priest by the Hasmonean rulers contribute to the conflict with the Pharisees?

Combining the roles of king and high priest concentrated too much power in one individual, which the Pharisees opposed because it deviated from traditional religious and political structures. Signup and view all the answers

What motivated Herod to travel to Rome and persuade the senators to appoint him as king of Judah?

Herod believed the Romans wanted to eliminate the Hasmonean rulers due to their rebellions, so he sought to capitalize on the situation by gaining the favor of the Roman senators and securing the kingship for himself. Signup and view all the answers

Why was Herod paranoid and obsessed with someone taking his crown, and how did this affect his actions?

Herod's paranoia stemmed from his awareness of his tenuous claim to the throne and the potential for rivals to challenge his rule, leading him to construct fortresses like Masada and act ruthlessly against perceived threats. Signup and view all the answers

Explain how Herod's building projects, while initially beneficial to the Jewish people through increased employment, ultimately contributed to economic grievances that fueled the Great Revolt against the Romans.

Herod's extensive building projects created employment, but they were financed through heavy taxation. After the projects ceased, unemployment rose, and combined with the continued high taxes demanded by the procurators, this led to economic hardship and resentment. Signup and view all the answers

Compare and contrast the Pharisees' and Sadducees' views on Hellenism and how these differing perspectives influenced their stances on the revolt against the Romans.

The Pharisees opposed Hellenism and sought autonomy within the Roman Empire, while the Sadducees embraced Hellenism and maintained good relations with the rulers. The Pharisees opposed revolt while the Sadducees were against the revolt because they had a good relationship with the rulers. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the role of a Roman procurator in Judea, and provide two specific examples from the text of actions taken by procurators that incited the Jewish population and contributed to the Great Revolt.

A Roman procurator was responsible for collecting taxes and governing the province. Florus and Pontius Pilate were procurators that didn’t respect the religious feelings of the Jews and they demanded lots of taxes, further increasing the people's suffering. Signup and view all the answers

How did Herod's personal life, specifically his marriage to Miriami and his subsequent actions towards her and her family, reflect and contribute to the internal tensions within Judean society during his reign?

Herod married Miriami, a Hasmonean princess, which was supposed to unify his rule. However, his subsequent killing of Miriami, her brother, and many other Hasmoneans demonstrated his paranoia and ruthlessness, exacerbating tensions between his supporters and those loyal to the Hasmonean legacy. Signup and view all the answers

Explain why the end of Herod's building projects led to increased unemployment among the Jewish population, and how this contributed to the growing unrest against Roman rule.

When Herod's building projects ended, many Jews lost their jobs, creating unemployment. Combined with heavy taxes imposed by the procurators, this economic hardship fueled resentment towards Roman rule and contributed to the Great Revolt. Signup and view all the answers

Discuss the significance of the Pharisees' belief in the Oral Torah, and how this belief distinguished them from the Sadducees and influenced their approach to Jewish law and tradition.

The Pharisees believed in both the written and oral Torah, allowing for interpretations of Jewish law to adapt to changing times. This contrasts with the Sadducees, who only followed the Written Torah and were therefore against Hellenism. Signup and view all the answers

Describe how Herod’s decision to build a port city in Caesarea, populated by non-Jews, reflect the wider tensions between the Jewish and non-Jewish populations during his reign and how this contributed to instability.

Building Caesarea reflected a preference for and alliance with non-Jewish populations and this was a point of resentment. His promotion of a non-Jewish city exacerbated existing religious and cultural tensions with the Jewish population, adding to the instability of his reign. Signup and view all the answers

How did the political goals of the Jewish people contribute to the Great Revolt against the Romans?

The Jewish people wanted independence from the Roman Empire. Jewish people strived for self-determination and freedom from Roman rule. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the main conflict between the Pharisees and the Zealots during the Roman siege of Jerusalem, and explain how this conflict impacted the city's resources.

The Zealots wanted complete independence from Rome and threatened Pharisees who favored surrender. This led to a civil war where food storages were burned, causing a famine. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the Sicarii's motivation for their final act at Masada, and how they carried out this act. What does leaving the untouched food supplies reveal about the Roman's understanding of the situation?

To avoid Roman capture and enslavement, the Sicarii committed suicide. The Romans found untouched food, showing they knew the Sicarii were not motivated by lack of supplies. Signup and view all the answers

Summarize the story of Kamtza and Bar Kamtza. What action by Bar Kamtza ultimately incited conflict between the Romans and the Jews, and how?

Bar Kamtza, after being humiliated at a party, told Julius Caesar the Jews were rebelling. He made Caesar's sacrificial offering unkosher, leading to the Jews accepting the offering and conflict. Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary moral lesson to be learned from the story of Kamtza and Bar Kamtza?

The primary moral lesson is to avoid baseless hatred and to treat everyone with kindness, even enemies. Signup and view all the answers

Relate the actions of one of the following to the destruction of the second Temple: Bar Kamtza, the Zealots, the Pharisees.

The Zealots exacerbated the situation by initiating a civil war within Jerusalem, which diverted resources and manpower away from defending against the Roman siege. Also, they burned essential food supplies that could have sustained the city, weakening it considerably. Signup and view all the answers

How might the internal divisions among the Jews in Jerusalem—specifically between the Pharisees and Zealots—have made it easier for the Romans to ultimately breach the city's defenses?

The civil war diverted resources, manpower and focus to an internal struggle instead of the external Roman threat, weakening the city's overall defense. Signup and view all the answers

If the sages present at the party had intervened when Bar Kamtza was initially humiliated, how might the subsequent events, including the conflict with the Romans, have been altered? Explain your reasoning.

Intervening could have prevented Bar Kamtza's resentment and subsequent betrayal, potentially averting the conflict with the Romans. A show of unity and compassion could have changed the course of events. Signup and view all the answers

Compare the motivations of the Zealots at Masada with those of Bar Kamtza. Were their actions driven by similar goals or different principles? Explain.

The Zealots were driven by a desire for freedom from Roman rule and a refusal to be enslaved. Bar Kamtza's actions were driven by personal revenge. Thus, different motivating principles. Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Antiochus Decrees

Laws imposed to Hellenize the Jews, prohibiting Torah study, Shabbat, and circumcision.

Jason's Role

High priest appointed by Antiochus to promote Hellenism in Jerusalem.