Jewish History Quiz: Diaspora, Persecution, and Phoenicians

The Phoenicians

• Geographically located in the eastern Mediterranean coast, primarily in present-day Lebanon and Syria.
• Most famous for their seafaring skills, establishing a vast trading network, and creating an alphabet that influenced many modern alphabets.

Historical Terms

• 'Diaspora' refers to the dispersion of a group of people from their ancestral homeland, often forced by persecution, exile, or war.
• 'Corroboration' in historical context means verifying the accuracy of historical information by cross-checking it with multiple sources.

The Hebrews

• One factor that led to the Hebrews being forced out of their Promised Land was the Babylonian exile in 586 BCE.
• The Hebrews were forced out of their Promised Land due to major historical events, including the Assyrian conquest in 722 BCE and the Babylonian exile.

Phoenician Success

• The Phoenicians achieved success as traders during ancient times due to two key factors:
  • Their strategic geographic location, which allowed them to control trade routes.
  • Their skill in navigating and exploring the Mediterranean Sea.

Decline of the Phoenician Civilization

• One major factor that contributed to the decline of the Phoenician civilization was the devastating wars with the Persians in the 6th century BCE.

Judaism

• 'Monotheism' in the context of Judaism refers to the belief in a single, all-powerful, and all-knowing God, which is a core principle of the Jewish faith.