1.4 The Greek Empire (331-166 B.C.)

End of the Persian Wars Separate Greek city states (Athens, Sparta) form an alliance in order to defeat their common enemy: the Persians Persia was the constant enemy of Greece Throughout Persia’s days as the dominant empire, the Greeks (especially the Spartans - a fierce warrior Greek city-state) constantly challenged their rule While Persia repeatedly tried to control Greek city-states, they were prevented from doing so

Civil War Following the defeat of the Persians the Greek city-states fell into conflict which resulted in a massive civil war (Greeks fought Greeks) Out of the conflict, Philip of Macedonia, emerges with the goal of unifying all of the Greek city states Philip succeeds in his goal of Greek unity, until he dies rather suddenly (murdered?) His empire thus falls to his son, Alexander

Alexander Alexander had the task of managing the large empire left behind by his father, Philip Alexander would go on to influence the western world for the next millennium, and he would spread his ideas, and his Greek culture, everywhere Wherever he went, he built cities and roads, and insisted the people learn Greek as their 2nd language. http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xa2csi_ horrible-histories-alexander-the-gr_fun

Greek Tradition Spreads Greek traditions and religion were adopted throughout the areas that Alexander controlled While this was great for those who wanted to adopt the Greek way of life, the Jewish people, of course, had a different reaction They asked the following questions:

Would they be able to maintain their Torah? What about their firm belief in one God? What about their religious and dietary observations? Would everything they cared about, all of their distinct beliefs and practices be snuffed out? Would they be able to fulfill God’s mission if the Greeks dominate them?