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The Hasmonean and Herodian Eras: Religious Growth, Division, and Roman Domination

This work explores the dynamic developments of the Hasmonean and Herodian eras, highlighting the Hellenization of Judaic practices, including Greek burial customs, ritual purity, and the dialectical rise of various sectarian Judaisms like the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Essenes. It examines the impact of the Roman takeover led by Pompey and Herod, the decline of the high priesthood, and subsequent unrest culminating in the Jewish revolts. The study reflects on the long-term implications for Judaism, especially the shift from Judea as a religious center to Galilee, reshaping Jewish identity.

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The Hasmonean and Herodian Eras: Religious Growth, Division, and Roman Domination

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  1. History 282/JWST 234 Hasmonean & Herodian Eras

  2. Hasmonean Hellenizing of Judaic Practice • Greek burial customs and funerary architecture but banning of any figurative representations of deity • emphasis on bathing and ritual purity • fine tuning of scripture (e.g., additions to Greek Esther) • names continue to be Greek • rise of the bet ha-midrash

  3. Sectarian Judaisms • period of religious growth and division • I Maccabees 2: 29ff-41 • are these radical Sabbetarians? • how new is the Hasmonean textual interpretation?

  4. Josephus’ Picture • Antiquities XVIII • 3 groups: • Pharisees (popular) -- piety of abstinence? • Sadducees (priestly) -- Zadok • Essenes (Qumran?) -- • sicarii, others • sectarians are a small minority

  5. Social Message of Qumran • much debated among scholars • good overview on library of Congress website • http://www.ibiblio.org/expo/deadsea.scrolls.exhibit/intro.html • David Flusser: dualism, poverty, remaining within society, pre-destination, baptism

  6. Roman Domination • dynastic struggle between Hasmonean sons leads to Roman takeover • shrinkage of control to Jerusalem and Galilee • Pompey 63 BCE • decline of high priesthood and replacement by Herodian dynasty

  7. Herod 37-4 BCE • elimination of last Hasmoneans • administration dependent on himself • city builder: Masada, Caesarea, Herodium, Tower of David, rebuilds Temple • builds for Jews and pagans • http://www.inisrael.com/ipix/java/holyland.htm

  8. Herod’s Death • general unrest and rebellions - oppose changes • period of mixed rule till 41 CE Agrippa I • Pontius Pilate (c. 26-36) insensitive and cruel • removed at Jewish request

  9. Judaean & Diaspora communities • Philo of Alexandria -- member of a very wealthy and prominent Alexandrian Jewish family • late first century BCE to mid first century CE • mentioned by Josephus • fusion of Greek and Jewish wisdom • represents the Alexandrians before Gaius Caligula (37-41) -- becomes a spokesman for the Jewish people • “Legatio ad Gaium” ed. E. Mary Smallwood

  10. Rebellion • 66 CE -- tension turns into rebellion • Josephus (Flavius) • divisions among the Jerusalem defenders • city destroyed 70 CE (Vespasian and Titus) • Masada falls 73/74 • Arch of Titus (c. 81?)

  11. Revolts and Reform • Jewish tax applied universally • rebellions under Trajan 115-117 CE • Bar Kokhba 132-35 CE • a star comes out of Jacob (Numb. 24:17) • last stronghold Betar (SW of Jerusalem) • major devastation

  12. Yavneh • story of Yohanan ben Zakkai • restructuring of Judaism

  13. Implications • end of Judaea as center -- shift to Galilee • passivity vis-à-vis the Romans

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