Alexander the Great and Historical Context of Israel During Roman Rule

Alexander the Great

  • Conquered most of the Mediterranean world, including regions from Israel down to India.

Territorial Overview

  • Main regions influenced or directly controlled:
    • Thrace
    • Philippi
    • Neapolis
    • Bithynia
    • Pontus (Turkey)
    • Lebanon
    • Tyre (Israel)
    • Extensive territories in Judea and Syria.

Historical Context of Israel

  • Israel occupied various strategic positions in the ancient world.
  • Major cities and landmarks include:
    • Jerusalem (capital proclaimed in 1950)
    • Tel Aviv (home to international embassies)
    • The West Bank and Gaza Strip (occupied, status subject to negotiations).

Historical Compositions

Rule of Antiochus III (198 BCE)

  • Introductory control over Israel as a Seleucid King.
  • Proclaimed Samaria as the center of Jewish life, leading to cultural and political implications.

Maccabean Revolt (160 BCE)

  • Marked the independence of Judah, leading to a notable division:
    • Jews migrated to Mt. Zion.
    • Syrian colonizers and sympathizers retained hold in Acra.

Destruction of the Samaritan Temple

  • Occurred at Mt. Gerizim, representing significant cultural loss for the Samaritan community.

Roman Period

General Pompey (63 BCE)

  • Captured Jerusalem and its temple, augmenting Roman power across the Mediterranean including Syria and Egypt.

Cultural Blending

  • Emergence of Christianity influenced by the melding of Greek and Oriental cultures.

Taxation and Economy

  • Taxation systems established during Roman rule included:
    • Land tax (no exemptions)
    • Poll tax
    • Head tax
  • Slavery was an integral part of the socio-economic fabric:
    • People could become slaves by birth, capture during wars, or piracy.

Religious Groups During Jesus' Time

1) Sadducees

  • Priestly aristocrats; accommodated Roman rule and influences; rigid in religious matters, rejected resurrection and were destroyed during the temple's fall.
  • Only acknowledged the written Pentateuch as sacred law.

2) Essenes

  • Monastic community epitomizing purity; their communities were destroyed after the Jewish revolt, but their manuscripts (Dead Sea Scrolls) were discovered in Q’umran.

3) Pharisees

  • Interpreted Jewish law strictly; originated from the Hasidim; distanced from foreign influences, maintained cultural identity.
  • Known for their legalistic interpretations and broad influence on daily Jewish life.

4) Zealots

  • Advocated for violent resistance against Roman occupation; notable for their uprisings, most prominently leading to the fall of Masada.

Language Influence

  • Diverse linguistic background included:

    • Aramaic (common spoken language)
    • Greek (dominant in government and commerce)
    • Hebrew (in use within Jewish culture)
    • Latin (officially used by Romans, mainly for administrative purposes).

  • Jesus primarily taught in Aramaic, while the New Testament was predominantly written in Greek.