Margaret Hunter – Page 15 – Amazing Bible Timeline with World History

Posted on January 25, 2013October 4, 2017 by Margaret Hunter — Leave a comment

Rome Conquers Germany to Elbe and Weser

Around 50 B.C., the Roman Republic was expanding its power all throughout the world. The Romans were already pushing their influence into Asia Minor, Africa, the Middle East and deep into Europe. They had managed to capture the ancient land of Gaul in 58 B.C., and they also conquered various areas near Iberia (Spain) and regions around Italy. When the Romans arrived in Gaul, they encountered various tribal groups that were based on ancient German. Ancient Germany was formally known as Germania and the various tribal groups that resided there threatened the stability of the Roman Republic while they occupied Gaul. All of this is on the Biblical Timeline in the first century BC.

Important German Rivers.
The German tribes were a nomadic people, and they had been moving around for hundreds of years. The Rhine River runs through western Germany near the border of Gaul (modern day France). This river system was used for transportation and as a source of food for the ancient Germans. When Rome fought against the tribes from this region, they positioned their armies along the Rhine.

The Elbe is another major river system in Germany that is positioned in the northeastern part of the territory. The Elbe River is located about 350 miles from the Rhine, and the Weser River was about half that distance. The Elbe and Weser rivers were important to the ancient Germans because many tribes had settled there before moving westward to the Rhine and into other parts of Europe.

Roman Efforts to Stop Germanic Advances
As the German tribes were pushing west and southward from their territories, they began to conflict with the Romans who were spreading north and east. At first the Romans were able to keep them under control but in time they quickly became a problem. Julius Caesar had encountered the Romans in 60 B.C. and launched a series of campaigns against them that officially started Rome’s struggle with the Germans. Caesar was successful in his efforts at containing the Germans and the next Emperor. Augustus had managed to settle the Germans in a town named Ubian so that they could be used to control the inflow of Germanic tribes into different parts of Europe.

About 16 B.C. this situation changed as German leaders became bolder in their efforts to enter into foreign lands. The Germans had pushed hard into Gaul and defeated a Roman governor named Lollius. Augustus amassed a huge army with about 50,000 soldiers along the Rhine so that he could stop the Germans once and for all. Emperor Augustus put his adopted son Nero Claudius Drusus in charge of his forces along the Rhine. With the leadership of Drusus, the Romans would fight an ongoing campaign against the Germans for almost 10 years.

Drusus Defeats the Germanic Tribes along Elbe and Weser Rivers
General Drusus could not just wipe out the Germans, and he had to carry out a series of campaigns against them for many years. He had lost many soldiers during the process, but he was winning great victories that were weakening the tribes resolve to continue to keep fighting. Even though this was the case, the Germans kept pushing back hard against the Romans. Ultimately Drusus was able to fight his way through the German forces, and he conquered them starting along the Rhine and then all the way back to the Elbe. Drusus’ efforts managed to keep the Germans contained but after his untimely death, the Romans were defeated at the Battle of Teutoburg Forest. Once this major defeat had taken place, the Romans seemed to have lost the desire to continue with the conquest of Germania. Even though the Germans did not make any more major advances into Roman territories, they still continued to migrate to Europe.

References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nero_Claudius_Drusus#Career
http://www.teudogar.com/lex039.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Teutoburg_Forest
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Loreley_mit_tal_von_linker_rheinseite.jpg

Posted on January 22, 2013October 4, 2017 by Margaret Hunter — 2 Comments

Syria Becomes a Roman Province

Syria became a province of Rome in 64 BC, which is where this appears on the Biblical Timeline Poster with World History. Prior to this, The Seleucid Empire was formed around 320 B.C. and the Seleucid rulers set up their empire’s capitol in Antioch, Syria. After the Empire was forged, it began a constant series of wars against its enemies.

Syria_a_Roman_Province_64_BC — Map of the Roman Empire during 116, the province Syria highlighted.

Map of the Roman Empire during 116, the province Syria highlighted.

The Seleucids fought against the Ptolemy Dynasty and the various rebels that rose up against their power. They battled against Asian forces in the east and waged war in the southernmost parts of their territories. The Seleucid’s were winning and losing battles and territories, and they had managed to stay in power for nearly three centuries until the arrival of the Romans.

Before Rome finally took over Syria in 64 B.C. they had already defeated the province under the rule of Antiochus III. Once they defeated Antiochus III they made the region a tributary state. They also established the Treaty of Apamea. The treaty specified Roman terms for Seleucid rulers in Syria. Some of the conditions of this treaty included surrendering 20 royal hostages to Rome for a certain period, the payment of tribute to Rome and that Syria couldn’t recruit mercenaries from Roman territories. This treaty was created in 188 B.C., and it lasted for over 70 years until the arrival of Pompey.

The Roman Republic was on the verge of becoming a powerful empire around 70 B.C. They had conquered and defeated many territories in Africa and various parts of Europe. The Romans won a series of battles and were virtually undefeated under the leadership of Pompey. Pompey made his way into Syria to annex the province or to make it a permanent part of the empire. The reason for this decision was that Rome no longer wanted to continue to keep fighting with this territory that wanted to be free from their rule. In the past, Syria was ruled from a position of independence and the reason for this was because Rome wasn’t strong enough to directly control the territories that they defeated. They had to rely on their allies to help keep outside areas compliant with their terms.

When Pompey entered Syria Antiochus XIII Asiaticus was the king. Pompey had him killed by a Syrian chieftain. The death of Antiochus XIII ended the Seleucid Dynasty. Once Syria had become a part of the Roman Empire, they were used as a buffer state to safeguard the western empire from Parthia and other anti-Roman forces in the east. Syria was also used for its wealth since it was situated in a strategic location. Many kingdoms and empires transported their goods to and through Syria.

The local inhabitants of Syria were nomadic tribes and they hadn’t had their own independence since the Assyrians conquered the territories in 700 B.C. When the Syria became a province of Rome the nomadic people were so used to living under foreign rulers that they too just complied with their new rulers.

They continued in their traditional ways of life, but they also intermingled with the Greeks who settled in the region as well. When Syria became a Roman province, they slowly adopted some of the customs of the Roman Empire. Ultimately, Rome ruled Syria up until the time that the Empire collapsed.

References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Syria)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antiochus_XIII_Asiaticus
http://www.unrv.com/provinces/syria.php
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_Apamea
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Syria_SPQR.png

Posted on January 21, 2013October 4, 2017 by Margaret Hunter — Leave a comment

Julius Caesar Defeats the Suevi

The Suevi also known as the Suebi was once a confederation from Germany and had migrated throughout Europe. They consisted of at least seven tribes that included the Semnones, Langobardi, the Hermunduri, Elbe, Anglii, Varini and the Nuitones.

Suevi,Defeated_by_Julius_Caesar — Germanic tribes

The Romans dealt with the Suevi along the Rhine River as a threat to their empire. They appear on the Bible Timeline Poster with World History in 58 BC, when they were defeated by Julius Caesar. Julius Caesar was the first Roman ruler to describe the Suevi. He said that they were a nomadic people that didn’t have a centralized government. They developed chiefs when they settled down into one area later on the chiefs became kings and nobles.

He claimed that they wore animal skins, cleansed themselves in Rivers and forbade the people to drink wine. Since they didn’t have a great need for wealth whenever they amassed plunder, they would trade with other tribes or kingdoms to get rid of their extra goods. The people were incredibly warlike, and they constantly raided areas inside of Gaul, which was under the protection of the Romans.

Caesar went on to say that he had no choice but to deal with these people because of this reason. Since Caesar was the governor of Gaul, it was up to him to keep the Suevi in check. As Rome was starting to expand its territories, it was gaining allies and becoming well known in Europe. Many of the tribal peoples who lived in Europe resented the Roman’s encroachment into their land. Other tribes realized that the Romans had become a necessary evil that they must endure, and they became their allies. The Suevi didn’t pay attention to the Romans but as they encountered them, it became clear to them that the Romans were not another simple European tribe. Before his confrontation with the Suevi in 58 B.C., Caesar constructed bridges along the Rhine and set up his forces in this area. Once he did this, he sent a formal decree to the Suevi to get them to stop harassing Rome’s allies in the area.

The Suevi abandoned their settlements along the Rhine and moved back into Germany. They did this so that they could start to build up an army to take on Rome. Within a short period the Suevi managed to amass a large force, and they were now marching against Rome. They had hundreds of units that were being led by two chieftains named Nasua and Cimberius. The Suevi began to line up along the Rhine River in clans, and the Battle of Vosges begins. The Romans used their superior tactics to break through the Suevi formations. The Suevi were being beaten so bad that they retreated. During their retreat, the allies of the Suevi turned against them and their chiefs. The different tribes once again went back to Germany to reorganize their armies so that they could attack the Romans in the future. According to Caesar, the Suevi didn’t come back into the Rhine or Gaul during his term as governor.

References:
http://www.historyfiles.co.uk/KingListsEurope/BarbarianSuevi.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suebi
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Germania_tribes.png

Posted on January 19, 2013August 8, 2016 by Margaret Hunter — 4 Comments

Herod the Great An Edomite Rules Palestine

Herod the Great was born in the land of Idumea or Edom around 74 B.C. which is about when he appears on the Bible Timeline Chart. He was the son of Antipater of Idumaean, who was a high-ranking official for Hyrcanus II. Herod was an Edomite that had adopted the customs of the Jews. In the past, the Edomites were ancient enemies of the Jewish people but they no longer were relevant as a people during this era. Many of the Edomites were absorbed into other cultures of the time. The Jews had conquered these people around 140 B.C. and forced many of them to accept their religion or to leave the region. Though many Jewish people didn’t care for foreigners worshipping God and adopting their customs Herod was made governor of Judea when he was 25 years old.

Hyrcanus II was king of Judea during this era in Jewish history, and his throne was usurped by his nephew, Antigonus. Herod lost his power as governor, and he fled to Rome to appeal for help. The Roman Senate supported his cause and ended up making him the new Jewish king. Herod went back to Judah in 39 B.C. and married Antigonus’ niece so that he could have some legitimacy to the throne and the Jewish people. He had to end up banishing his wife Doris and their son to pull this off. In 36 B.C., Herod defeated Antigonus and was finally able to claim the throne.

Herod began many great works during his reign. He expanded Solomon’s Temple and built the Masada fortress that would later become the stage for one of the most defining moments in the history of the Jews. He also established cities and created industries in asphalt, quarry, and shipbuilding. Herod didn’t necessarily share the wealth with the people though he hired many temple, priests.

Herod eliminated all potential rivals to his power, and he personally knew the Roman commanders Mark Antony, Cleopatra, and Augustus. He had four wives, and he killed a few of his sons because he believed that they were trying to assassinate him. Herod supported the Olympic Games, and he helped to avert food shortages in times of famine. Though Herod the Great did some noble things during his reign, he was also remembered for his great cruelty.

Herod didn’t want anyone taking his power. He managed to live through an assassination attempt, but he eventually performed a horrible act that ended up killing thousands of children. Herod the Great was visited by traveling wise men from the East who claimed that an ancient prophecy was being fulfilled in his territory. The wise men said that they saw a star over Judah that was going to lead them to the birth of a special baby who would become the King of the Jews. This news greatly disturbed King Herod, and he decided to kill all of the Jewish children who were 2 years old and younger. The wise men were right about the birth of a new king named Jesus being born, but Herod didn’t realize that Jesus wasn’t put on this Earth to rule Jerusalem. After this event had taken place, many Jewish people hated the king. Jesus was able to avoid being put death as a child because his father Joseph hid him in the land of Egypt. This story is told in the book of Matthew Chapter 2.

Historians also claim that Herod suffered from depression and fits of rage in his latter years. Some sources state that he wanted people to be killed and buried with him when he died. He also fell out of favor with the Jewish people by the time he died in 4 B.C. His sons Herod Archelaus and Herod Antipas ruled from the throne after his death.

References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herod_the_Great#New_Testament_references
http://christianity.about.com/od/newtestamentpeople/a/JZ-Herod-The-Great.htm
http://www.livius.org/he-hg/herodians/herod_the_great01.html
http://www.livius.org/he-hg/herodians/herod_the_great02.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idumea
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:HerodtheGreat2.jpg

Posted on January 18, 2013October 4, 2017 by Margaret Hunter — Leave a comment

Caesar and Cleopatra

Cleopatra was a member of the Greek Ptolemy Dynasty and she eventually became pharaoh of Egypt in 51 B.C. She appears on the Bible Timeline Chart with World History. Her father Ptolemy XII Auletes allowed her to rule with him when he was alive and after his death he had her marry her brothers Ptolemy XIII and Ptolemy VIX. This was the customary practice among Ptolemy rulers to keep the royal lineage pure and free from outsiders. Cleopatra was 18 when her father died and she was forced to marry her brother Ptolemy XIII who was only 10 years old. Eventually, Cleopatra had gotten rid of both of her brothers so she could become the sole ruler of Egypt.

Julius Caesar was born in 100 B.C. and he ruled Rome from 49 B.C. to 44 B.C. Caesar lived a full life and he was a general, soldier, politician, judge, a wealthy man and he also experienced poverty. He lived in exile and he controlled all of Rome. During Caesar’s rule Rome was caught up in a civil war. Another powerful general named Pompey wanted to be master of Rome. Around 47 B.C., he met Cleopatra when she decided to become his mistress.

Cleopatra_and_caesar — ‘Portrait of Russian dancer Lubowska, full-length portrait, standing, left profile, in Cleopatra costume, 1915 Note: “Mme Lubowska” or “Madam Désirée Lubovska” was not actually Russian; stage name of U.S.A. born Winniefred Foote (1893-1974).’

‘Portrait of Russian dancer Lubowska, full-length portrait, standing, left profile, in Cleopatra costume, 1915 Note: “Mme Lubowska” or “Madam Désirée Lubovska” was not actually Russian; stage name of U.S.A. born Winniefred Foote (1893-1974).’

During the conflict between Pompey and Caesar, Pompey’s forces were defeated and he had fled to Alexandria, Egypt to seek sanctuary. While he was there he was executed by a Ptolemy ruler who took over the throne after Cleopatra had to flee Egypt. The reason she had to leave Egypt was because she betrayed a powerful military faction within the empire and she also tried to start a rebellion against her brother Ptolemy. Cleopatra had to go into hiding while she was in Egypt before she went to Rome.

Meanwhile, Ptolemy had Pompey executed by one of his soldiers. He then thought to use this situation as a means to gain favor with Caesar, but it didn’t work. Caesar was angry and decided to take Egypt for himself and he made himself the judge over who was going to rule Egypt.

Around 47 B.C. Cleopatra had managed to get past Caesar’s security while he was in Egypt. She seduced him and started an affair with him. She then bore him a son named Caesarion. Caesar naturally chose to side with her about who would be the sole ruler of Egypt. Cleopatra, Ptolemy VIX, and Caeser all went back to Rome in 46 B.C. Once they were there, Cleopatra continued her affair with Caesar despite the fact that he was married. This was a scandalous situation and the people didn’t like it. Caesar even had statues created in Cleopatra’s honor. Caesar was eventually assassinated in 44 B.C. and Cleopatra was considered to be a suspect in the assassination. She eventually went back to Egypt with her brother Ptolemy VIX who was also mysteriously murdered. After this incident, she became the sole ruler of Egypt with her infant son Caesarion. She lived until 30 B.C. where she died from an unknown cause. This female ruler has left a lasting legacy that survives in the modern world.

References:
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Cleopatra#mediaviewer/File:CleopatraLubowska.jpg
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:C%C3%A9sar_remet_Cl%C3%A9op%C3%A2tre_sur_le_tr%C3%B4ne_d%27%C3%89gypte_-_Pierre_de_Cortone.jpg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julius_Caesar

Posted on January 17, 2013October 4, 2017 by Margaret Hunter — Leave a comment

Cimbri and Teutons War With Rome

Around 105 B.C., the Romans realized that their newly emerging powerful empire was about to become unhinged by a ferocious tribe of barbarians from the north. This tribe was known as the Cimbri and for some unknown reason they were powerful enough to beat the well trained and well-armed forces of the Roman Empire. The Cimbri was allied with another nomadic tribe called the Teutons. Both the Cimbri and Teutons were from Germany and started to migrate across Europe as early as 120 B.C.

While they were moving from their homeland they were attacking various independent European tribes and absorbing them into their ranks. The war between Rome and this group appears on the Biblical Timeline Chart with World History in the first century BC. The Cimbri and their allies eventually encountered a tribe known as the Taurisci who were allies to Rome. When the Taurisci appealed to Rome for aid against these attacking Barbarians, the empire sent them a force under the leadership of consol Gnaeus Papirius Carbo.

Once he arrived in the land of the Taurisci he displayed a considerable amount of power to the Cimbri and demanded that they leave out the area. The Cimbri decided to comply with the Romans, but they changed their stance after they figured out that Carbo had planned to ambush the barbarians as they left the area. The Cimbri turned their fury upon the Romans and nearly killed all of them in battle. Carbo nearly lost his life and the only thing that saved him and a few hundred of his men from being completely wiped out was a big storm that broke out over the area.

Cimbri_and_Teutons — English: Maps of Cimbrian and Teutons invasions

English: Maps of Cimbrian and Teutons invasions

Once Carbo’s Roman army was defeated the Cimbri could have marched against Rome. However, the Germanic tribes headed into the area of Gaul or modern day France and Northern Italy. Then in 109 B.C. they defeated another Roman general named Silanus in Gallia Narbonensis. Shortly after this incident the Romans lost another battle at the Battle of Burgidala. By 107 B.C., the Romans were also defeated by Cimbri allies and sympathizers known as the Tigurini.

The senate was starting to realize that the Republic was in danger of being overrun by the barbarians. They were starting to become very fearful of the Cimbri and their allies. The Roman consuls Gnaeus Mallius Maximus and Quintus Servilius Caepio gathered the largest Roman army of the time and prepared them for the ultimate conflict with the Cimbri. The Romans had amassed a 120,000 soldiers and support personnel and then split the force in half between two consuls or generals. Maximus and Caepio didn’t like each other and instead of fighting together as one unit they separated and carried out their attacks against the Cimbri on two different fronts. Caepio acted without the support of Maximus and his troops were decimated. With his defeat, the Romans under Maximus lost their morale and they too were easily defeated by the Cimbri.

All of these events took place around 105 B.C. and the Roman empire really believed that its days were numbered. Once again the Cimbri didn’t attack Rome they ended up going to Hispaniola (modern Spain) to raid that area. General Marius took over the Roman army and he amassed a huge and powerful army. He took soldiers from the masses as opposed to the rich and land owning classes. He also transformed training standards, equipment, and military tactics. In a nutshell, General Marius completely reorganized Rome’s military institution. General Marisu eventually defeated the Cimbri.

The Romans almost lost their empire until the Cimbri and their forces were defeated in 101 B.C. Julius Caesar was a commanding officer in the last Cimbri war. General Marius and the leader Sulla engaged in a civil war over leadership of the empire after this major conflict occurred.

References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cimbrian_War
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cimbri
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Cimbrians_and_Teutons_invasions.svg

Posted on January 16, 2013April 5, 2016 by Margaret Hunter — Leave a comment

Pompey Conquers Jerusalem

Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus was a military commander and political leader who served Rome up until the time he was assassinated in 48 B.C. He is known in history as Pompey, and he was the son of Pompeius Strabo, who was a wealthy political leader from the area of Picenum.

Pompey was being educated for a military and political career, and when he was seventeen years old, he was called upon to fight against the Italians in a conflict known as the Social War. Pompey proved to be a victorious commander. Shortly before his father had died in 89 B.C., he served under him in various military conflicts and politics. Some sources claim that Pompey greatly admired Alexander the Great and tried to emulate his appearance and lifestyle.

Pompey_Conquers_Jerusalem — Pompey enters the Jerusalem Temple

Pompey soon rose through the ranks to become a general of three legions. He was sent by the Roman leader Sulla on various missions to expand the empire and to keep control of the lands that were already taken. He fought in campaigns in Sicily, Africa, Hispania, and he even suppressed the slave revolt that was started by Spartacus.

Pompey defeated pirates, battled in Asia and took on the Seleucids in Syria. While he was carrying out his duties in the Middle East, he encountered the Jewish people who were living under the rule of the Hasmonean Dynasty.

The Hasmonean rulers were fighting each other for the control of Judah. Hyrcanus II and Aristobulus II were not only opposing rulers of Judah they also represented two opposing religious factions the Pharisees and the Sadducees. When Pompey had defeated the Seleucids in Syria, both Jewish parties thought that they could use his forces to defeat each other in battle. So they both sent bribes to Pompey to see if he would join their side.

Pompey eventually chose to align with Hyrcanus II because he was an older man who would prove to be a more reliable ally to Rome than the younger Aristobulus II. Once Aristobolus II realized that he hid out in a fortress. But he eventually allowed Pompey to take Jerusalem. The problem is that many of the people who had entered into the fortress refused to allow Pompey to enter into the area, and Pompey decided to take the city by force.

During the siege, Pompey destroyed the city of Jerusalem and he badly damaged the Temple. Pompey then sent Aristobolus II back to Rome as a prisoner and allowed Hyrcanus II to govern the land. The Jewish people had to accept the terms of Rome, and they became a province of the Roman Empire in 64 BC, which is where this appears on the Bible Timeline Chart. When Pompey conquered Jerusalem, he supposedly had entered into the temple to evaluate the Jews unusual religious worship. Most people in the ancient world believed in many different gods but when Pompey entered into the sacred parts of the temple he didn’t see any statues or pictures of their deity. All he saw was a scroll with writing, and he was supposedly puzzled by this scene. Like most people in ancient times, Pompey just couldn’t understand how these people could worship one God that they couldn’t even see. He then ordered the city and the Temple to be restored. Pompey’s actions in Jerusalem set the scene for the coming birth of Jesus Christ. The prophecies of Daniel were also being fulfilled. In the book of Daniel, he stated that a fourth empire made of iron would emerge on the scene. Pompey had unknowingly played a critical part in bringing about the emergence of this fourth world empire that was spoken about in Daniel’s prophecies when he conquered Judah and the other kingdoms of the ancient world.

References:
http://image.aish.com/JosephusAccount.html
http://orion.it.luc.edu/~avande1/jerusalem/topics/history.htm
http://www.livius.org/ja-jn/jewish_wars/jwar01.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pompey
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyrcanus_II
http://www.preteristarchive.com/Books/1870_fall-jerusalem_roman-conquest.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Pomp%C3%A9e_dans_le_Temple_de_J%C3%A9rusalem.jpg

Posted on January 15, 2013April 5, 2016 by Margaret Hunter — 1 Comment

Simon the High Priest

The Wisdom of Sirach is a Jewish scriptural book that was never accepted into the Talmud though it was written by a credible Jewish scholar named Joshua Ben Sirach. In the 50 chapter of the book of Sirach, it tells the story of Simon the High Priest of Judah. Simon is also known as Simeon the Just or Simon the Righteous. According to the verses that are contained in Sirach 50, Simon was an outstanding High Priest in Judah. He performed his priestly duties with excellence, and he was greatly revered by the people. He made it a point to care for the citizens of Jerusalem. He appears on the Biblical Timeline during the third century BC.

Simon, High_Priest — The Wisdom of Sirach is a Jewish scriptural book

Historians aren’t sure about the exact period that Simon was high priest. He could have held this office in 310 to 291 B.C. or 300 to 273 B.C. Onias I was also a high priest of Judah and this man was the father of Simon, or his son Onias II could have been his father as well. Once again, records were obscured, and historians just can’t pinpoint the exact dates that he held the office of high priest or his parentage.

What historians remember the most about Simon, was the excellent life that he lived during his time in service. His service to the Jewish people is revered. Simon was interested in the material and spiritual development of his people. He knew that they needed both aspects to survive and thrive in the world. He made it a point to get the best things for his people and to make sure they had plenty to eat and economic prosperity. He also faithfully kept the people’s hearts and minds focused on God. Simon made sure to maintain the city of Jerusalem and the Temple.

According to historians, Simon was the high priest of Judah when Alexander the Great passed through the city. He greeted the Conqueror and showed him the wonders of Judah. More importantly he introduced Alexander the Great to their god Jehovah. Alexander the Great was able to take a tour of the Temple and learn about God. Alexander wasn’t exactly thrilled by the Jews belief system, but he respected them. Simon even revealed to Alexander the prophecies of Daniel and how some of them pertained to his conquest.

The story of Simon and Alexander the Great adds to the confusion about Simon. It seems as if Simon was around 100 years before the arrival of the Hamsorean Dynasty. According to history, he was also living during this period as well. The reality is that there might have been two priests given the same name and had the same personalities but who lived at different time periods. The contradictions and confusion is probably one of the major reasons as to why the Wisdom of Sirach was never canonized in the Talmud.

The Wisdom of Sirach and history also claims that Simon performed various questionable miracles. These miracles might be true, but they seemed to be highly unlikely and they seemed more focused on bringing glory to Simon rather than to God. Simon, the high priest, was a historical figure, but the events of his life might have been exaggerated.

References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_I_(High_Priest)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simeon_the_Just
http://www.brill.com/simon-high-priest-sirach-50
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Sirach+50&version=DRA
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wisdom_of_Sirach
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sirach

Posted on January 14, 2013October 4, 2017 by Margaret Hunter — Leave a comment

Jerusalem and Rome 200 BC

Around 200 B.C. where it is listed on the Biblical Timeline Chart, the empire of Rome was becoming a dominant force in the ancient world. This Republic was slowly forming into a powerful empire, and it was challenging many established rulers during its time. When the Romans were coming to power, there were other prominent states that were dominating the Earth. There were primarily run by different factions of Greek rulers. The major rulers of the ancient world during this period were the Seleucid and Ptolemy Dynasties. These two empires had a lot of the ancient kingdoms and territories such as Persia, Syria and Judea under their control.

In 200 B.C., the Judeans was being ruled by the Ptolemy Empire. The Ptolemy and Seleucid empires were constantly at war with one another over territory. Judea wasn’t a great kingdom in terms of their power, but it was unique because of their religious beliefs that caused them a lot of problems with the outside world. Many cultures in that day were polytheistic, and they didn’t understand how one culture could be dedicated to serving only one God.

Most empires considered Judah a worthless province that was good for collecting tribute and nothing else. They knew about their history and their religions, but they were left alone for the most part as long as they paid their rulers tribute. The empires who ruled over Judah would appoint the high priest that the Jews had chosen as their governor. Many Jewish people were also taken from their homelands and resettled into parts of the ancient world.

As the Romans started to become more powerful, they started to expand their empire. Eventually, they were clashing with the Greeks in Asia Minor. The Romans already knew about the Greeks from their cultural, social and political exchanges with this territory, but they eventually started to go to war with them. The Romans were defeating coastal towns where Greeks lived in Asia Minor, and the Seleucid and Ptolemy rulers tried to stop their advances. The Romans defeated the Seleucid armies but they didn’t take over their territories right away, and the same is true for the Ptolemy’s. The most that the Romans did to their defeated foes was to make them pay tribute and to agree to whatever demands they desired.

The province of Judah wasn’t an issue for the Romans in 200 B.C. because it was still under the control of the Ptolemy’s. Rome didn’t have an interest in the territory because it didn’t matter to them at all. They also didn’t have the resources or manpower at their time to station in Judah. They were aware of the Jewish people and what they considered to be a strange form of religion that they worshiped. Rome’s problems with Judah would begin about 140 years later around 64 B.C. after they conquered the province. It was during this period in history that the Romans governed the Judeans, and they started to pay close attention to this supposedly insignificant Jewish state.

References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pontius_Pilate
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_Jerusalem
http://www.preteristarchive.com/Books/1870_fall-jerusalem_roman-conquest.html
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Jerusalem#mediaviewer/File:Jerusalem_Dome_of_the_rock_BW_13.JPG
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Jerusalem#mediaviewer/File:Jerusalem-TowerOfDavid_004.jpg
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Jerusalem#mediaviewer/File:Jaffa_Gate_Jerusalem.jpg
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Posted on January 12, 2013October 4, 2017 by Margaret Hunter — Leave a comment

Antiochus IV Rules

Antiochus IV Epiphanes was the son of Antiochus III and he ruled the Seleucid Empire from 175 B.C. to 164 B.C. which is where he appears on the World History Timeline. His birth name was Mithridates, but he changed his name to Antiochus III Epiphanes once he took over the throne. King Antiochus IV didn’t become the king of the Seleucid Empire after his father Antiochus III had died. His brother Seleucus IV became the next king of the empire. Seleucus IV was the oldest prince and was supposed to take the throne. When he became king he gave his own son as a hostage to the Romans so that Antiochus IV didn’t have to live in a foreign land.

The former king Antiochus III had to make a peace treaty with Rome after he was defeated by them in 188 B.C. One of the major conditions of this treaty forced the Seleucids to give the Romans some of his male heirs to the throne. Rome did this so that they could keep control over their defeated enemies. Seleucus IV decided to give up his son as a hostage in his brother’s place.

Eventually, Seleucus IV was assassinated by a usurper to the throne in 175 B.C. and Antiochus IV then removed the usurper to become king. He forced Seleucus IV son to remain in Rome and he killed another one of his sons a few years later. He married a woman named Laodice IV and he had five children with her. Some scholars and historians claim that Antiochus IV was also an illegitimate ruler to the Seleucid throne. As a result of his actions, many people tried to take the head of the Seleucid Empire after he had died. This event led to a widespread civil war all throughout the Seleucid Empire. These events seriously weakened the Seleucid Dynasty.

Antiochus_IV_Rules — Statue of Antiochus IV

Even though Antiochus IV ruled only 10 years his reign would be one of the most memorable in all of the history of the Seleucid Empire. King Antiochus IV was considered a mad man and an evil ruler by many of his contemporaries. During his reign, he had a showed a lot of hatred toward the Jewish people. His father Antiochus III had temporarily turned against the Jews but stopped once he realized what he was doing. King Antiochus IV persecution of the Jews began when he accepted a bribe from a Jewish official named Jason who wanted to become the high priest and governor of Judah. He then continued a campaign to Hellenize Judea and he made it a point to desecrate God’s Temple. Eventually, the Jewish people rose up in opposition against his tyranny and gained their freedom from the Seleucid’s.

King Antiochus IV also defeated the Egyptians that were being ruled by the Ptolemy’s. He dealt with Parthian armies in the east to keep his empire together and he had to avoid making the Romans upset because of their treaty. King Antiochus IV died in 164 B.C. due to an unknown disease. He was succeeded by his son Antiochus V Eupator.

References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peace_of_Apamea
http://jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/1589-antiochus-iv-epiphanes
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Antiokhos_IV.jpg