Discuss the origins and influence of Hellenism in Israel during the Intertestamental Period
Hellenism stems from the conquests of Alexander the Great,
who interestingly enough, was Greek by training and not by birth.
Succeeding his father, Philip, in 334, he set out to conquer, and was successful.
His success led to a new phase in world history, one of military conquests.
This trend towards conquest remains deeply embedded in Western culture to this day.
The destruction of the Jewish state and temple by the Babylonians made the Jews ripe for Hellenistic culture.
Be sure to identify any problems this movement caused for the Jews
and describe the Jewish response to these problems.
and describe the Jewish response to these problems.
When Alexander moved in, he did not just strive to conquer the land, but also the culture.
His army brought along with them city planners, architects, musicians, philosophers, and others of cultural importance. He brought a government of city-states, each ran by a king and council,
and fostered a society based upon intelligence, even if devoid of creativity;
and a spirit of virtue, even if "dominated by fate".
His army brought along with them city planners, architects, musicians, philosophers, and others of cultural importance. He brought a government of city-states, each ran by a king and council,
and fostered a society based upon intelligence, even if devoid of creativity;
and a spirit of virtue, even if "dominated by fate".
Which Hellenistic rulers most aggressively tried to influence Jews with Hellenism?
Alexander the Great was the most aggressive.
He not only changes the populace, but the environment in which they lived.
Private schools rose up to teach the Greek citizen reading, writing, recitation, painting, music, and verse.
Competition and military vigor became important to the Greek citizen, and the early induction of the Olympics,
which still exists to this day. Clearly, the Greeks have not only influenced society then, but now - in everything from athletics to architecture.
He not only changes the populace, but the environment in which they lived.
Private schools rose up to teach the Greek citizen reading, writing, recitation, painting, music, and verse.
Competition and military vigor became important to the Greek citizen, and the early induction of the Olympics,
which still exists to this day. Clearly, the Greeks have not only influenced society then, but now - in everything from athletics to architecture.
How did Hellenism positively and negatively impact the Jews?
Although most Hellenistic leaders allowed the Jewish people free practice of their way of life,
there were many differences in the two cultures that created conflict.
The Jews were monotheistic, as opposed to the Greek pantheism; the Jews followed Yahweh,
but the Greeks were pagan. Other differences included the language, Jewish Aramaic versus Hellenistic Greek;
and their community. While the Jews were isolationists, they still valued community;
the Greeks were more universal, but valued the individual over community.
there were many differences in the two cultures that created conflict.
The Jews were monotheistic, as opposed to the Greek pantheism; the Jews followed Yahweh,
but the Greeks were pagan. Other differences included the language, Jewish Aramaic versus Hellenistic Greek;
and their community. While the Jews were isolationists, they still valued community;
the Greeks were more universal, but valued the individual over community.
What modern movement parallels the rise of Hellenism?
The author, J. Julius Scott Jr., relates the rise of Hellenism to the rise of television. I am apt to agree with him.
Television created its own culture, which although was full of glitter and shine, amounted to individualism over community, and turned everyone watching into conformist drones.
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