The Intertestamental Period
1.) Alexander the Great-
Alexander the Great played an important role in the intertestamental period. He defeated Darius of Persia and brought Greek rule to the known world. He established seventy cities, all modeled after the Greek style. His conquering of the middle east facilitated the Hellenization of Rome, and brought the Jews under Grecian dominion, to the dismay of many Jews living there at that time.
2.) Antiochus Epiphanes-
Replaced High Priest Onias III with Onias' own brother, Jason, to further implement the Hellenization of Jerusalem. This resulted in the construction of a gymnasium and track. Here, the Jews adopted Grecian practices such as exercising in the nude, and opening their events with invocations of pagan deities. Later, Antiochus replaced Jason with a man called Menelaus, who offered to collect higher taxes from the Jews.
While Antiochus was busy in Egypt, a rumor spread that he had been killed. The displaced high priest, Jason, rallied troops and made a surprise attack on Jerusalem. Menelaus was forced to leave. Angered by his defeat, and seeing all of this as a rebellion, Antiochus Epiphanes stormed Jerusalem and restored Menelaus as high priest and executed many Jews. Among those killed were men, women and children of all ages.
To bring his empire together, he decided to outlaw Jewish religious rites. He ordered the worship of the pagan god Zeus. Because of the resistance, the city was destroyed. All this led up to what is now known as the Maccabean revolt.
3.) Mattathias-
Was an elderly priest who played a very important role in the Jewish revolt against the Syrian Greeks. He was urged by a royal agent of Antiochus Epiphanes to set an example for villagers by offering up a pagan sacrifice. When he refused, another Jewish man stepped up to comply and Mattathias killed him and the royal agent. Mattathias then smashed the alter and fled into the mountains with his sons and followers.
4.) Judas Maccabeus-
Alexander the Great played an important role in the intertestamental period. He defeated Darius of Persia and brought Greek rule to the known world. He established seventy cities, all modeled after the Greek style. His conquering of the middle east facilitated the Hellenization of Rome, and brought the Jews under Grecian dominion, to the dismay of many Jews living there at that time.
2.) Antiochus Epiphanes-
Replaced High Priest Onias III with Onias' own brother, Jason, to further implement the Hellenization of Jerusalem. This resulted in the construction of a gymnasium and track. Here, the Jews adopted Grecian practices such as exercising in the nude, and opening their events with invocations of pagan deities. Later, Antiochus replaced Jason with a man called Menelaus, who offered to collect higher taxes from the Jews.
While Antiochus was busy in Egypt, a rumor spread that he had been killed. The displaced high priest, Jason, rallied troops and made a surprise attack on Jerusalem. Menelaus was forced to leave. Angered by his defeat, and seeing all of this as a rebellion, Antiochus Epiphanes stormed Jerusalem and restored Menelaus as high priest and executed many Jews. Among those killed were men, women and children of all ages.
To bring his empire together, he decided to outlaw Jewish religious rites. He ordered the worship of the pagan god Zeus. Because of the resistance, the city was destroyed. All this led up to what is now known as the Maccabean revolt.
3.) Mattathias-
Was an elderly priest who played a very important role in the Jewish revolt against the Syrian Greeks. He was urged by a royal agent of Antiochus Epiphanes to set an example for villagers by offering up a pagan sacrifice. When he refused, another Jewish man stepped up to comply and Mattathias killed him and the royal agent. Mattathias then smashed the alter and fled into the mountains with his sons and followers.
4.) Judas Maccabeus-