The Ancient World Not a whole, but only a particular area & period Not a whole, but only a particular area & period Area: Mediterranean Basin Area: Mediterranean Basin Period: 800 BCE  400 CE Period: 800 BCE  400 CE

The Ancient World 3 major languages with their cultural uniqueness: 3 major languages with their cultural uniqueness: --Hebrew: human inadequacy & God’s omnipotent justice omnipotent justice --Greek: intellectual honesty & curiosity --Latin: social seriousness & sense of order order The 3 merged in St. Augustine The 3 merged in St. Augustine

The Ancient World A small world: “ We live around the sea like frogs around a pond. ” A small world: “ We live around the sea like frogs around a pond. ” Similar climate & basic crops Similar climate & basic crops Dependent labor: slaves; peasants Dependent labor: slaves; peasants The existence of other cultures The existence of other cultures

The Hebrews A deplorable long history with the exception of a short term of glory A deplorable long history with the exception of a short term of glory King David & Solomon: BCE King David & Solomon: BCE Deportation to Babylon: BCE Deportation to Babylon: BCE (ended at the time of Cyrus)

The Hebrew Religion exile: the formative period exile: the formative period for Hebrew religious thought — for Hebrew religious thought — Ezekiel; the second Isaiah Ezekiel; the second Isaiah return to Palestine: return to Palestine: --rebuilding of the Temple --creation of the Canonical version of the Pentateuch or Torah of the Pentateuch or Torah

The Hebrew Religious Literature Written probably between the 8 th – 2 nd century BCE Written probably between the 8 th – 2 nd century BCE A revolutionary conception of God: A revolutionary conception of God: --One God --One God --The creator of all things, all-powerful --The creator of all things, all-powerful and just and just

Major Influence from Foreign Domination Macedonian: Palestine became part of a Hellenistic Greek-speaking kingdom Macedonian: Palestine became part of a Hellenistic Greek-speaking kingdom Diaspora: “ the scattering of Hebrew Diaspora: “ the scattering of Hebrew people ” people ”--