The Intertestamental Period: From Babylon To The Birth Of Christ

Maccabean Period Part 2

Announcements

Intertestamental PeriodWeek Date Topic

1 05 Mar 14 Overview2 12 Mar 14 Babylonian Period (605-539 BC)3 19 Mar 14 Persian Period (539-332 BC)4 26 Mar 14 Greek Period (332-323 BC)5 02 Apr 14 Ptolemaic (323-198 BC)6 09 Apr 14 Syrian (198-168 BC)7 16 Apr 14 Maccabean Part 1 (168-153 BC)8 23 Apr 14 Maccabean Part 2 (153-139 BC)9 30 Apr 14 Independence (139-63 BC)

10 07 May 14 Rome Intervenes (63 – 37 BC)11 14 May 14 Herod (37 BC – 4 BC)

12 21 May 14 The IT Period and Christianity (4 BC – 70 AD)

13 28 May 14 Review

Today’s Objectives• Review last week’s lesson• Learn about the split in the Seleucid dynasty

and about the Maccabean role• Learn about key Seleucid rulers during the

period from 153-139 BC• Learn about Jonathan's role in the Jewish

Wars• Learn about the transition of power with Simon• Review background information about Rome

and key events during the period

Last week’s lesson• Reviewed last week’s lesson• Learned about the Hasmonean dynasty• Learned about Mattathias’ role in the Jewish

uprising• Learned about Mattathias’ five sons• Reviewed Judas Maccabeus’ actions Learned

about the rededication of the temple• Learned about further oppression by Antiochus

V• Reviewed important historical notes about

Rome

Reference Material

• KJV (w/ Apocrypha)– 1st and 2nd Maccabbees

• Josephus – The Complete Works• Herodotus – The History• Intertestamental History – Mark Moore• Ancient Rome – Simon Baker• Harding University – BNEW 112 Course Notes –

Dr. Thompson• Intertestamental Period – John Battle

Sons of Mattathias• Mattathias dies of old age in 167 BC, soon

after the revolt began• He appoints his third son, Judas, as leader• Mattathias had five sons

– John– Simon– Judas (or Judas the Maccabee)– Eleazar– Jonathan

• Three sons ruled over Judah, all five sons suffer violent deaths

Where we left off….• Judas Maccabeus’ treaty with Rome• In 157 BC Roman delegate heads a

commission which arbitrates a truce between Carthage and Masinissa

• The delegate (Cato) is awe-struck by the power he sees within Carthage

• Further oppression under • Three of Five Maccabean brothers have

been killed, only Jonathan and Simon live• Jonathan becomes the leader – it’s 153 BC

Maccabean Revolt• Was seen as a war for religious freedom to end

the oppression of the Seleucids• Many wanted to continue the revolt and conquer

other lands with Jewish populations or to convert their people

• Exacerbated the divide between the Pharisees and Sadducees– Pharisees emerging as more popular, democratic,

and successor group of the Hasidim, anti-Hellenistic– Sadducees emerging as the party of the elite, pro-

Hellenistic, ceased to exist in 70 AD, did not believe in the afterlife or resurrection

– Essenes emerged as a dissident group, arguing that the Essene community was the “new Temple”

Demetrius I Soter• Ruler of the Hellenistic Seleucid Empire

from 187-150 BC• Rival to Antiochus V, son of Antiochus IV

Epiphanies – Overthrows and kills Antiochus V

• Drawn away from his conflict with the Maccabees by external issues– Enemies want Alexander Balas name ruler– Roman Senate supports Alexander Balas– Demtrius I is defeated in killed in 150 BC

Demetrius II Nicator• Son of Demetrius I Soter• Very young, unpopular king• Ruled the empire two different times

– 146-139 BC (contested, at war)– 129-126 BC

• Retook the throne of the Seleucid Empire in 147 BC, lost it to the Parthians in 139 BC

• Assisted in his efforts by Ptolemy VI of Egypt

Alexander Balas• Rules the Seleucid kingdom from 150-146

BC, marries Ptolemy VI’s daughter• “Discovered” by a minister of Antiochus IV• Recognized by Roman Senate and the

Egyptians as successor to Antiochus V• Looses the battle of Antioch in 145 BC• Flees to a Nabataean prince and is

murdered• Demetrius II Nicator comes to power• Co-regent with Antiochus VI Dionysus

King Ptolemy VI

• Ruler of Egypt from 163-145 BC• Allied with Demetrius II against Alexander

Balas• Defeats Alexander Balas in the Battle of

Antioch in 145 BC• Gives his daughter (Alexander’s wife) to

Demetrius II• Helped to build Demetrius II’s power

Antiochus VI Dionysus • Son of Alexander Balas (I Macc II)• Born 148 BC, died 138 BC• “Ruled” from 145 BC until he was deposed

in 138 BC• Diodotus Tryphon, a military General

under Alexander Balas supposedly murders him

• General Tryphon becomes the king• In 143 BC Hasmonean rule was reinstated

in Judea in exchange for aid

Jonathan• Had spent 10 years rebuilding the Jewish

base of support• It was 150 BC and he was the de facto ruler

of Judah• Controls all of Judah• Syria still controls the Akra in Jerusalem• Reassures Rome of the Maccabean

alliance with Rome (ref. 1 Macc 8, 12:1-24)• Rules during a period of great turmoil within

the Seleucid empire• Captured by Tryphon and killed in 143 BC

1 Macc 8:1-61Now Judas heard of the fame of the Romans, that they are powerful and strong, and willingly agree to all things that are requested of them: and that whosoever have come to them, they have made amity with them, and that they are mighty in power. 2 And they heard of their battles, and their noble acts which they had done in Galatia, how they had conquered them, and brought them under tribute: They heard, etc... What is here set down of the history and character of the ancient Romans, is not an assertion, or affirmation of the sacred writer: but only a relation of what Judas had heard of them. 3 And how great things they had done in the land of Spain, and that they had brought under their power the mines of silver and of gold that are there, and had gotten possession of all the place by their counsel and patience: 4 And had conquered places that were very far off from them, and kings that came against them from the ends of the earth, and had overthrown them with great slaughter: and the rest pay them tribute every year. 5 And that they had defeated in battle Philip and Perses the king of the Ceteans, and the rest that had borne arms against them, and had conquered them: Ceteans... That is, the Macedonians. 6 And how Antiochus, the great king of Asia, who went to fight against them, having a hundred and twenty elephants, with horsemen, and chariots, and a very great army, was routed by them.

7 And how they took him alive, and appointed to him, that both he and they that should reign after him, should pay a great tribute, and that he should give hostages, and that which was agreed upon, 8 And the country of the Indians, and of the Medes, and of the Lydians, some of their best provinces: and those which they had taken from them, they gave to king Eumenes. Eumenes... King of Pergamus. 9 And that they who were in Greece, had a mind to go and to destroy them: and they had knowledge thereof, 10 And they sent a general against them, and fought with them, and many of them were slain, and they carried away their wives, and their children captives, and spoiled them, and took possession of their land, and threw down their walls, and brought them to be their servants unto this day. 11 And the other kingdoms, and islands, that at any time had resisted them, they had destroyed and brought under their power. 12 But with their friends, and such as relied upon them, they kept amity, and had conquered kingdoms that were near, and that were far off: for all that heard their name, were afraid of them. 13 That whom they had a mind to help to a kingdom, those reigned: and whom they would, they deposed from the kingdom: and they were greatly exalted. 14 And none of all these wore a crown, or was clothed in purple, to be magnified thereby. 15 And that they had made themselves a senate house, and consulted daily three hundred and twenty men, that sat in counsel always for the people, that they might do the things that were right:

1 Macc 8:7-15

16 And that they committed their government to one man every year, to rule over all their country, and they all obey one, and there is no envy nor jealousy amongst them. To one man... There were two consuls: but one only ruled at one time, each in his day. -- Ibid. No envy, etc... So Judas had heard: and it was so far true, with regard to the ancient Romans, that as yet no envy or jealousy had divided them into such open factions and civil wars, as they afterwards experienced in the time of Marius and Sylla, etc. 17 So Judas chose Eupolemus, the son of John, the son of Jacob, and Jason, the son of Eleazar, and he sent them to Rome to make a league of amity and confederacy with them: 18 And that they might take off from them the yoke of the Grecians, for they saw that they oppressed the kingdom of Israel with servitude. 19 And they went to Rome, a very long journey, and they entered into the senate house, and said: 20 Judas Machabeus, and his brethren, and the people of the Jews, have sent us to you to make alliance and peace with you, and that we may be registered your confederates and friends. 21 And the proposal was pleasing in their sight. 22 And this is the copy of the writing that they wrote back again, graven in tables of brass, and sent to Jerusalem, that it might be with them there for a memorial of the peace, and alliance.

1 Macc 8:16-23

23 GOOD SUCCESS BE TO THE ROMANS, and to the people of the Jews by sea, and by land, for ever: and far be the sword and enemy from them. 24 But if there come first any war upon the Romans, or any of their confederates, in all their dominions: 25 The nation of the Jews shall help them according as the time shall direct, with all their heart: 26 Neither shall they give them, whilst they are fighting, or furnish them with wheat, or arms, or money, or ships, as it hath seemed good to the Romans: and they shall obey their orders, without taking any thing of them. 27 In like manner also if war shall come first upon the nation of the Jews, the Romans shall help them with all their heart, according as the time shall permit them: 28 And there shall not be given to them that come to their aid, either wheat, or arms, or money, or ships, as it hath seemed good to the Romans: and they shall observe their orders without deceit. 29 According to these articles did the Romans covenant with the people of the Jews.

1 Macc 8:7-15

Battle for Jonathan’s Support• Between Demitrius I and Alexander Balas• Demetrius I is forced to withdraw the

Judean garrison– Makes a bid for Jonathan’s loyalty– Permits him to take an army– Jonathan accepts and begins fortifying the city

• Alexander Balas offers even more favorable terms– Appointment as the official High Priest 153 BC– He withdraws support to Demetrius I– Declares allegiance to Alexander Balas

Area under Jonathan’s control

Summary• By 142 BC, two contenders remain for the

throne– Three year old Antiochus VI Dionysus, son of

Alexander Balas, supported by General Tryphon

– Demetrius II• Tryphon,

– Wanted Jonathan’s support but tricked him– Invites Jonathan to Ptolemais with only 1000

men with him– Tryphon kills all of Jonathan’s men– Imprisons Jonathan and finally kills him– Only Simon is left

Simon• Makes an alliance with Demetrius II• Demetrius II takes the throne of Syria

– Grants independence to Judea– Grants immunity from taxation

• Jews were able to drive the Syrian garrison out of the Akra

• Built a Hasmonean palace on its foundation• Hasidim gave Simon the title “Leader and

High Priest Forever”– “Until there should arise a faithful prophet”

• He is murdered in 135 BC by a son-in-law

Rome

Pre-Roman World

The Roman RepublicA “Balanced” Government

• Rome elects two consuls– one to lead army, one to direct government

• Senate- chosen from patricians (Roman upper class), make foreign and domestic policy

• Popular assemblies elect tribunes, make laws for plebeians (commoners)

• Dictators- leaders appointed briefly in times of crisis (appt. by consuls and senate)

The Roman Army• Originally land-owners• All citizens were required

to serve• Army was powerful:

– Organization & fighting skill• Legion- military unit of

5,000 infantry (foot soldiers) supported by cavalry (horseback)

Rome• The uprisings in Rome's Hispanic province• January 1st becomes the first day of the

Roman year in 153 BC• Carthaginian debt to Rome is fully repaid

– According to Carthage, the treaty with Rome, which was put in place at the end of the Second Punic War, is no longer in force

• Third Punic War declared; Rome lands an army in Africa to begin the Battle of Carthage in 149 BC

• Carthage falls to Roman forces in 146 BC

Carthage• Phoenician’s originated from southern

Europe, along the northern Mediterranean region around 1500 BC

• Established by Phoenician Empire 700’s BC• Phoenician Empire fell, Carthage became

powerful, independent city-state; like the city of Rome

• Carthage had a huge and powerful navy• Took control of North Africa, Corsica,

Sardinia, Sicily, and Spain

Carthage

Roman Empire 44 BC – 180 AD

Third Punic War• Short war• Rome invades Carthage because of

aggressions against a third country• Carthage destroyed (burned down) and

most citizens sold into slavery– 1,000,000 original inhabitants– 50,000 remained

• Carthage so completely destroyed archeologists have found very few artifacts

• Rome becomes the sole superpower in the Mediterranean region for the next 700 years

Review• Reviewed last week’s lesson• Learned about the split in the Seleucid dynasty

and about the Maccabean role• Learned about key Seleucid rulers during the

period from 153-139 BC• Learned about Jonathan's role in the Jewish

Wars• Learned about the transition of power with

Simon• Reviewed background information about

Rome and key events during the period