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1 2560 BC- Pyramids at Giza completed 1185 BC- Trojan War 1000 BC- Chinese develop gunpowder 750-700 BC- Homer writes the Iliad and the Odyssey 776 BC- Olympic games begin in Greece 559 BC- Cyrus the Great becomes king and leads Persian Empire from Egypt to China 532- Pythagoras starts his school in Greece 490 BC- Battle of Marathon between 11,000 Athenians to 100,000 Persians (Athens prevails). 480 BC- Battle of Thermopylae 433 BC- The Parthenon in Athens is completed after 40 yrs. • 404 BC- Sparta defeats Athens in Peloponnesian war. • 399 BC- Socrates put on trial and sentenced to death by hemlock. • 386 BC- Plato starts the Academy in Athens. • 338 BC- Philip of Macedon conquers Greece • 336 BC- Aristotle starts the Lyceum in Athens. • 333 BC- Alexander the Great defeats Persia but Darius escapes to fight again. • 332 BC- Alexander conquers Egypt • 323 BC- Alexander dies and leaves empire to his four generals which ushers in the Hellenistic period. • 264 BC- First Punic Wars- 218- Second Punic Wars (Hannibal crosses the Alps). 146- Third Punic Wars where Rome finally obliterates Cartage. • 73 BC- Spartacus , former soldier and gladiator fights against Rome. • 44 BC- Julius Caesar is assasinated. • 31 BC- Octavian defeats Marc Antony in the battle of Actium • 27 BC- Caesar Augustus (Octavian) made Roman Emperor- Luke 2:1 Creation Flood Scattering of the People Patriarchs Exodus from Egypt Wilderness Wandering Conquest of the Land Judges United Kingdom Divided Kingdom Judah Alone Captivity Return 6 Prophesied in: Amos 8:11-12 (KJV) “Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord: And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it.” 7 Lasted about 400-430 years No Biblical accounts during this period Secular writings provide history for this period These writings add credibility to the Bible Many events are confirmed by the New Testament 8 The Roman Empire is in power The Greek language is universally spoken The Greek translation of the Old Testament (Septuagint – meaning 70) is being used Jews were strict in following parts of the Mosaic law – sabbath day, tithing, feasts 9 Various political and religious parties are prominent – Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes, and Zealots The Herods (a family of Edomites, called Idumeans) rule over the Jews The land is called Judea - not Judah The land is prosperous and bustling with activity 10 Jews had settled in areas around Jerusalem and Galilee Samaritans occupied the area in between Jews hated the Samaritans Samaritans – a new breed of Israelites formed when foreigners were placed in the land by Assyria and other nations after the captivity started 11 1. The Persian history (an empire) • In control for about 100 years after the O.T. closed 2. The Grecian history (not a typical empire) • Alexander the Great 3. The Roman history (an empire) • In power when N.T. began 4. The Jewish history (our main study) 12 First Jews taken into captivity by Nebuchadnezzar in 605 B.C. Cyrus (559-530 B.C.), ruler of the Medo-Persian empire, defeated the Babylonians – released captives in 538 B.C. Zerubbabel led about 50,000 Jews back to Jerusalem in 536 B.C. Rebuilding the temple started – finished in 20 years, 516 B.C. 13 Before the OT ended... Persians expanded their territory to Greece and to Egypt. 480 BC- Battle of Thermopylae- Leonidus and the 300 Spartans. Xerxes (486-465 B.C.), also known as Ahaseurus in the book of Esther, returned from the battle – chose Esther, a Jew, as his queen after banishing Vashti for not complying to his drunken request. The Jews who had remained became honored people in the Persian empire The Greeks regained their land – defeated the Persians in about 479 B.C. 14 15 Before the OT ended... The Greeks also controlled Asia Minor in about 449 B.C. About 458 B.C., Ezra led 1,354 men and their families to Jerusalem Thirteen years later (445 B.C.), Nehemiah returned to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem The Old Testament closed about 430 B.C. 16 Persians Rulers... Xerxes II – named king by his father but murdered by a half-brother, Sogdianus, in 45 days Sogdianus murdered by a halfbrother, Darius II, within 6 months Darius II (424-405 B.C.) • Had a very fascinating wife • Had two sons – the weaker of the two became king, Artaxerxes Mnemon 17 Persians Lose Power Then... The Medo-Persians slowly lost their power but remained in control of world affairs for about 100 years after the close of the O.T. (to about 331 B.C.) 18 Greek Philosophers... Socrates (470 to 399) Plato (428-348) Aristotle (384-322) The Greeks began to slowly gain power Their thinking and reasoning among the educated Greeks had a profound effect on the future of the Jews and the countries around them. 19 Problems in the Persian Empire... Artaxerxes Mnemon (405-359 BC) • Had a phenomenal memory • Appointed by his father, Darius • His mother wanted his younger brother Cyrus to rule rather than Mnemon 20 Problems in the Persian Empire... Cyrus rebelled • Commanded an army to defend the land to the west • Recruited 13,000 Greek mercenaries to help his 100,000 man force • Fought against his brother for the throne 21 Problems in the Persian Empire... Both were wounded in battle, but Cyrus died Mercenaries returned to Greece 200 years has passed since the first Cyrus 22 Problems in the Persian Empire... Artaxerxes Ochus (359-338 B.C.) • Appointed king by his father • He re-invigorated the empire for a few years • Conquered Phoenicia, Tyre, Cyprus, Egypt • One of his generals, Bagoas, poisoned him and put his own son, Arses, on the throne 23 Problems in the Persian Empire... Arses (338-336) • Killed by his father who placed Darius III on the throne Darius III • Last king of the Persian empire 24 Athens, Sparta, Corinth and Thebes Philip of Macedon was elected head of a united Greece around 340 B.C. The Greeks found the Persians to be inferior fighters. 25 They become confident in overthrowing the Persian army in Asia Minor But, Philip was assassinated in 336 B.C. Alexander the Great, his son, became king 26 And the Jews... When the O. T. ended, Nehemiah, Ezra and Malachi prophesied Jews had settled in Judea (Jerusalem) and Galilee Some Jews had chosen not to return Conflicts between the Persians and the Greeks did not directly affect the Jews 27 And the Jews... Jews had learned a lesson from captivity Their bloodline was kept purer They stayed away from idolatry Separation of “Jew” and “Gentile” became more noticeable Synagogues were formed for sabbath assemblies Small groups of Jews met in a similar manner during the captivity period 28 The Story of Alexander the Great • His father was Philip II of Macedon • Born in 356 B.C. • Educated under Aristotle • Strong and good-looking • Macedonia was a strategic area between the East (Asia Minor and Syria) and the West (Greece and Italy) • Located North of the Aegean Sea 29 Macedonia 30 • Greek city states united in 336 B.C. • Philip II assassinated in 336 B.C. • Alexander immediately took role of king of the Hellenic League at age 20 • Squashed the rebellion of Thebes – other members quickly brought under his control 31 Hellenistic Culture • Not a derivative of the word “hell” • “Hellenist” – means Greek; a nonGreek person who adopted the Greek language and culture • Greek philosophies penetrated the world • Lifestyle • Language • Education 32 Hellenistic Culture • Hellenism increased even after Alexander’s death • Many Jews took Greek names, wore Greek-styled clothes, and learned the Greek language • The Septuagint, the oldest Greek version of the Old Testament, traditionally said to have been translated by 70 or 72 Egyptian Jewish scholars at the request of Ptolemy II 33 • In 334 B.C., he started his march into Asia to face the Persian army • Alexander used a unique but effective battle strategy • Fought against Darius III who finally turned and ran from the battle • Took Tyre with the help of engineers • Took Gaza, again with the help of engineers 34 Egypt opened its arms to Alexander as its deliverer The city of Alexandria was built in his honor bearing his name He went North into the area of Mesopotamia, north of the Tigris River Fought Darius III again who fled from the battle again Finally, Darius’ own soldiers finally killed him 35 Alexander made his way to India where he turned and settled in Babylon He was a heavy drinker He contracted a fever and died at age 32 His conquests covered about 12 years He was a friend to the Jews His enemies seemed to have been the Jews’ enemies 36 Alexander The Great’s Empire 37 Alexander’s Successors After his death, his family was in turmoil No successor to his throne His generals divided up his kingdom and fought each other for power This was prophesied in Daniel 8 Jews faired well under Ptolemy (one of the generals) who located in Egypt “High priests” ruled over local affairs in Palestine, or Judea, as it was then called 38 The Divided Greek Empire 39 Rome Enters The World Scene The Romans were gaining in power and the Seleucian/Greek/Syrian kingdom was losing power. The Jews were under the oppression of the Seleucians. The Maccabees, a Jewish family, fought the Seleucians to win their independence. This fulfilled a prophecy of Daniel and lead up to the Roman domination of the Jews which fulfilled another prophecy that the Roman government would be in power when Christ came 40 (Dan. 2:44; Luke 2:1). Daniel 2:44 KJV And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. Luke 2:1 KJV And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. The Roman Empire Hannibal of Carthage and Philip V of Macedon had joined to fight the Romans in the 2nd Punic War After Carthage was defeated in the 2nd Punic War in 201 B.C., Rome turned to the East (the Greeks) (Rome later destroyed Carthage in 146 B.C.) Greek city-states were freed from Philip The Romans defeated Philip in 197 B.C. 42 2nd Punic War 43 44 The Seleucid (Syrian) Empire Antiochus (born 4th-century B.C.), father of Seleucus I Nicator, founder of the Hellenstic Seleucid Empire Antiochus I Soter (died 261 B.C.), king of the Seleucid Empire Antiochus II Theos (286 B.C.–246 B.C.), king of the Seleucid Empire who reigned 261 B.C.–246 B.C. 45 The Seleucid (Syrian) Empire • Seleucus II Callinicus (246-225 B.C.) • Antiochus Hierax (died 226 B.C.), the rebel brother of Seleucus II Callinicus • Seleucus III Ceraunus, reigned 225 B.C.-223 B.C. Antiochus III the Great (241–187 B.C., king 222–187 B.C.), younger son of Seleucus II Callinicus, became the 6th ruler of the Seleucid Empire 46 Status Of The Syrian Empire... Antiochus III of Syria won control of Judea from the Egyptians about 198 B.C. (about the time that Philip was defeated) Some of the Greek city-states asked Antiochus to help them against the Romans Antiochus agreed (Big mistake!) • Note: The Seleucid Empire (312 – 63 BC ) was the eastern remnant of the former Macedonian Empire of Alexander the Great and began with Seleucus Nicator 47 The Syrian Empire Loses Greece • Antiochus III was defeated in Greece in 191 B.C. • Syrians were becoming weak • Surrendered territories west of the Taurus Mountains to Rome, his war elephants, and most of his fleet of ships • Had to pay a huge tribute to Rome amounting to 15,000 talents of gold • His people started a revolt • He was killed in about 187 B.C. 48 Trouble In The Syrian Empire... • A power struggle developed • Meanwhile, Antiochus Epiphanes, a son of Antiochus III, was being held by the Romans to guarantee payment of the tribute • After his release, Epiphanes went to Athens, Greece and made friends • His brother was assassinated so he borrowed troops from the king of Pergamum and headed for Antioch 49 The Seleucid (Syrian) Empire Seleucus I Nicator (Satrap 311–305 BC, King 305 BC–281 BC) Antiochus I Soter (co-ruler from 291, ruled 281–261 BC) Antiochus II Theos (261–246 BC) Seleucus II Callinicus (246–225 BC) Seleucus III Ceraunus (or Soter) (225–223 BC) Antiochus III the Great (223–187 BC) Seleucus IV Philopator (187–175 BC) Antiochus IV Epiphanes (175–164 BC) Antiochus V Eupator (164–162 BC)50 The Syrian Turmoil Continued... • In 175 B.C., Antiochus Epiphanes, ruled Syria • Payments still being made to Rome • He could not expand his territory • Rome had gained strength to the west • The Parthians to the east had grown in strength taking all of Persia and Mesopotamia from the SeleucidSyrian kingdom • Syria had a staggering debt and a crumbling empire 51 Jewish Politics Began... • Jason fled across Jordan and Onias was killed • Menelaus allowed Antiochus and the Syrians into the temple to take money and costly decorations to help fight the Egyptians • Many Jews were outraged 52 Antiochus Fights Egypt... Egypt became an ally of Rome After winning a battle in Macedonia, the Romans sent word to Antiochus to stop the fighting and to leave Egypt Word “got out” that Antiochus was dead Jason returned to the high priest position with support from the Jews Now, the Jews are in trouble again 53 Antiochus Turns On The Jews • Antiochus put down the revolt • Much bloodshed followed • Part of the wall was destroyed • Antiochus decided to: • Suspend the temple rituals • Burn the sacred scriptures • Forbade their feasts • Stopped circumcision • Built an altar to the Greek god Zeus 54 Antiochus IV Acts Like A God • Antiochus manifested himself as the Greek god Zeus (about 167 B.C.) • He thought it would unite his supporters • Pursued a Hellenizing policy with zeal • Forbade the Jewish sacrifices • Forced people to offer incense to Zeus • Those that did not were whipped and killed • Circumcision was outlawed • His acts forced the Jews into rebellion 55 Syria – The Little Horn • Daniel 8:8-26 speaks of the great horn being broken with four taking it’s place (Alexander and his generals which followed him) • Out of one of them came a little horn (the Seleucid/Syrian kingdom) • This one would magnify himself, stop the sacrifices, cast down the sanctuary, and cast down the truth • This one was Antiochus of Syria! 56 Mattathias, An Aging Jewish Priest • Mattathias, the Hasmonean, objected: • Refused to offer incense • Killed the Syrian officer and his men • He and his five sons fled into hiding • A rebellion had started • The Syrian army came upon a thousand Jews on a Sabbath who refused to fight • They were slaughtered anyway 57 The Beginning of the Maccabees The members of the Hasmonean family of Jewish leaders and rulers comprised of the sons of Mattathias and their descendants They ruled Judea from about 167 to 37 B.C. They reasserted the Jewish religion, expanded the boundaries of Israel and reduced the influence of Hellenism. 58 The Rebellion Begins... • Before Mattathias died, he appointed his son Judas as military commander He appointed his son Simon as adviser • Judas was surnamed “Maccabaeus” – meaning “Hammer” He lead small groups of men and defeated the Syrian army using guerrilla warfare • The Maccabean revolt was in full swing 59 The Maccabean Revolt... • Antiochus IV died in 164 B.C. • The Syrian empire was crumbling • Judas and his men retook Jerusalem • The temple was restored and rededicated • The altar of Zeus was removed • Jews started a new celebration called – “Hanukkah” (meaning “lights”) 60 Hanukkah A Jewish festival lasting eight days Celebrated from the 25th day of the month of Kislev to the 2nd of Tevet In commemoration of the rededication of the Temple by the Maccabees following their victory over the Syrians under Antiochus IV Characterized chiefly by the lighting of the menorah on each night of the festival. 61 The Maccabean Brothers... • The Maccabees continued their fight for political independence • Syria was undergoing internal strife • Judas and his brother John were killed in battle in 160 B.C. • Jonathan became leader of the Maccabees and was killed by Trypho • Simon was the last leader but he was killed by his son-in-law seeking power 62 The Maccabees Prevail... • Simon, the last son of Mattathias, became the leader of the Maccabees • Demetrius, the new Seleucid king, had become the ruler over the Syrians • Both men entered an alliance granting Judea independence in 142 B.C. • Simon made an alliance with Rome that same year • Simon was also made “high priest” 63 Rome Is Happy... • Syria was crumbling fast • The Romans and the Parthians were increasing in strength • The Romans had been waiting for the outcome of the strife between the Syrians and the Jews • The Romans are coming! 64 Where We Left Off... The Maccabees had gained independence for Judea from a weakened Syria Simon (143-134 B.C.), last son of Mattathias Hasmoneas, had: Reclaimed the temple Had rid the land of the Syrians and Zeus idols John Hyrcanus (134-105 B.C.), Simon’s son, was the “High Priest” Now, Jewish traditions and sects have begun 65 The Spiritual Condition Of The Jews The captivity taught them a lesson – idolatry was wrong! But, they neglected the law Ezra led the people to: secure the purity of their worship separate themselves from their foreign wives separate themselves from the people of the land Nehemiah and Malachi stressed obedience 66 The Hasidim • Hasidim, or a group of “pious ones” • deeply spiritually minded • pursued keeping the law carefully 67 The Hasidim Their objectives: To fear God’s curse if they did not obey To obtain His blessings through obedience To develop the idea of a kingdom of priests started rituals and ceremonies To reduce the law to a set of rules the scribes became an important part of this effort 68 The Hasidim Creations • The “Halakhah” - a collection of traditions and rules • The “Haggadah” - comprised of parables, folklore, history, etc. • “Talmud” - documented the oral traditions (still exists today)- contains Mishna and Gemara (oral traditions). • Considered the Talmud more binding than the scriptures • Authors were scribes, rabbis, Jewish scholars 69 • Means “separated ones” • A small party formed from the Hasidim • There is little information on when or how this group began • A very influential party among the Jews • Became the opposition party to the Maccabees • Held strongly to the Jews’ traditions • Were closely united with the scribes 70 • They were strict in the laws with “outward appearance” • In Acts 26:5, Paul called the Pharisees “the straitest sect of our religion” (the Jewish religion) 71 • A political party of the aristocratic priests • Little popularity among the common people • Wanted Judea to compromise with the Greeks • Welcomed the Greek culture • Believed in God and the law, but not the traditions of the scribes and the Pharisees 72 • Did not believe in the resurrection, nor in angels, or the hereafter (the spirit world) • Acts 23:8 KJV For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both. 73 • Opposed the Pharisees because they were too lenient and not strict enough in their opposition to the Greeks • Had no impact on the Jews • were withdrawn from society • lived a very austere, communal type of life • They may have copied, collected and hidden the Dead Sea Scrolls which were found in 1947 74 The Zealots • Probably formed after the Romans took control of Judea • A political group with little impact on the population • Believed they were to establish God’s predicted kingdom • Then God would come to their aid • And they would enjoy a glorious political state • Simon Zelotes (the Zealot) was one of Jesus’ twelve apostles 75 • The Jewish high court • A Hebrew spelling of a Greek word that means “a senate” (a governing body) • May have been formed during the Greek-Syrian occupation of Judea • Consisted generally of seventy judges (elders) • The number probably taken from Num. 11:16-24 and Exod. 24:1, 9-11 76 • The Sanhedrin, along with the High Priest, made up the local government of the Jews • By the days of the New Testament, it was the Jews’ highest authority • Their authority was controlled and limited by the Romans 77 The Status of the Jews John Hyrcanus was high priest in 134 B.C. • Subdued the Idumaeans • Destroyed the temple on Mt. Gerizim • When Hyrcanus died, internal fighting developed among the Maccabean effort • His son, Aristobulus, succeeded him • Aristobulus died after one year and his brother Alexander Jannaeus ruled 78 Alexander Jannaeus • Ruled from 103-76 B.C. as civil ruler and as high priest • Jannaeus almost ousted by the people, finally won their support • The leaders of the revolt (800 Pharisees) were crucified while he and his concubines watched and feasted • The families of the doomed men were brought in and slaughtered before their eyes 79 Salome • When Alexander Jannaeus died, he left his kingdom to his widow, Salome • She ruled 76-67 B.C. • He had advised her to make peace with the Pharisees • She did, even brought them into her council • Salome died in 67 B.C. 80 Aristobulus • Alexander Jannaeus and Salome had two sons: • Hyrcanus II– made high priest • Aristobulus – made military commander • Aristobulus ousted his brother Hyrcanus II as high priest and took complete control of the Jews 81 The Roman Empire • From 129 to 75 B.C., Rome took control of most of Asia Minor and Syria • The Roman senate authorized Pompey to take control of the eastern shores of the Mediterranean • Their goal: To control all shores of the sea for fifty miles inland • Refer to the map 82 83 Antipater II • An Idumaean governor, Antipater, had a son named Antipater II • Antipater II used Hyrcanus II to help him gain power from Aristobulus • Antipater II arranged for Aretas, a Nabatean king south of Judea, to help Hyrcanus II 84 Pompey Goes To Jerusalem • Aristobulus was taken captive to Rome • Hyrcanus II opened the gates of Jerusalem to Pompey and the Romans • Pompey entered the Most Holy Place of the temple and his life went downhill from there • Julius Caesar was leading the Roman effort to the west • A bitter rivalry developed 85 Julius Caesar In 60 B.C., Pompey, Julius Caesar, and Crassus formed the first Triumvirate of Rome Crassus died Pompey and Caesar fought each other Pompey fled to Egypt but the Egyptians killed him Caesar with the help of Antipater II won his battle in Egypt, then went home 86 Caesar Controlled Judea • Antipater rewarded – made Procurator of Judea • Hyrcanus II - confirmed as high priest • Antipater placed his sons in positions of power in Jerusalem • Herod in Galilee • Phasael in Judea 87 Caesar Assassinated • In 44 B.C., Caesar was assassinated • Brutus and Cassius were in opposition to Mark Anthony and Octavian • Mark Anthony and Octavian defeated the conspirators and divided the Roman world • Mark Anthony controlled the eastern part (including Judea) • Octavian controlled the western part 88 Trouble In Judea... In 43 B.C., Antipater was poisoned Mark Anthony made Herod and Phasael joint rulers of Judea Mark Anthony was an oppressive ruler A fight developed over the high priest position Antigonus, son of Aristobulus, joined the Parthians and invaded Judea in 40 B.C. 89 Trouble In Judea... • Hyrcanus II was removed from office and his ears were cut off • Phasael was captured but committed suicide in prison • Herod escaped and fled to Rome • The Roman senate appointed Herod as king of Judea hoping he would defeat the Parthians • Eventually, he did win all of Palestine 90 He took the title of Herod the Great He favored the Jews by getting Rome to let them worship God according to the law of Moses He was Hellenistic (Greek) in his outlook An Edomite (Idumaean) now ruled Judea Peace and stability prevailed in the land Gal. 4:4 – “When the fullness of time was come, God sent forth His son” 91 Meanwhile... • Octavian ruled Rome about 27 B.C. • Mark Anthony and Cleopatra were lovers and Mark Antony left his soldiers in the heat of battle to follow after her which allowed Octavian to prevail. • Again, internal fighting began • Octavian won • Mark Anthony and Cleopatra both died • Octavian’s name changed to Augustus • Luke 2:1 – “In those days,... Caesar Augustus...” 92 Is Brought To You By The Members Of Join Us At: 656 St. James Church Rd. Newton, NC Assembly Times : Each Sunday: Bible Study 9:30 AM, Worship 11:00 AM Wednesdays: Bible Study 7:00 PM