The Jews in the Mediterranean World Chapter 8.4

The Arrival of Greek Rule Jews of Judah were under Persian for 200 years In 331 B.C. Alexander the Great defeated the Persians Introduced Greek language to Judah Allowed the Jews to stay in Judah

How Did Jewish Ideas Spread Groups of Jews living outside of the Jewish homeland became known as the Diaspora Diaspora is a Greek word that means ”scattered” Jews of Diaspora were loyal to Judaism Copied the Hebrew Bible into Greek called the Septuagint

The Revolt of the Maccabeus Seleucid kings ruled Judah Maccabeus Required the Jews to worship Greek gods Judas Maccabeus led a revolt Formed a rebel army known as the Maccabees Maccabees captured the Temple Cleared it of Greek Gods Jews celebrate the cleansing of the Temple when they celebrate Hanukkah

Roman Rule in Judaea Romans controlled eastern Mediterranean lands Rome conquered Judah and renamed it Judaea Jews rebuilt the Second Temple during the rule of Herod

Jewish Groups Pharisees-Stressed written and oral law Wanted Judaea free of Roman rule Sadducees- Stressed applying the laws to temple ceremonies Wanted to cooperate with the Romans Essenes-priests who broke away from the Temple in Jerusalem Prayed for God to deliver them from Roman rule mansRo Zealots- lived in Judaea Wanted to fight for their freedom against th

Dead Sea Scrolls Discovered in 1947 Found in a cave Helped historians understand Judaism during Roman times

Jewish-Roman Wars In A.D. 66 Zealots revolted Overpowered Roman army in Jerusalem Four years later Romans retook city Roman destroyed the Second Temple The Western Wall of the Temple still stands today Jews come to this wall to pray

Bar Kochba Simon ben Kosiba led a revolt against Romans for freedom After 3 years, the Romans crushed revolt Killed Bar Kochba

Palestine Romans imposed stricter controls Did not allow Jews to live in or visit Jerusalem Romans renamed Judaea and called it Palestine

The Rabbis Jews regrouped with help of Rabbis Rabbis or religious leader Rabbis taught the Torah Provided moral guidance