Jewish Revolution Research Paper

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This essay will explore the factors that caused a reaction against hellenisation which developed into a crisis of public order in Palestine in the 160s B.C. To understand how these factors led to a Jewish revolt in Palestine, one must briefly look at what occurred in that region before Alexander and after Alexander’s death as he did not leave an heir and the kingdom was divided between his Generals. But for the purpose of this essay we will only be looking at two Generals, Seleucids and Ptolemy. This gives the background on the build up to the revolt, as the kings of both Seleucids and Ptolemy died. They were replaced by their heirs and as such, the Jew’s positions would change. There are many factors that contributed to the revolt against …show more content…

Simon became upset that he could not obtain a higher rank of overseer as Onias II was against him . Having gained no ground, Simon went to the Seleucid government and spoke with Menestheus and told him of the large amount of funds the temple held and these funds may help the king out . So Seleucus IV who was in financial problem due to giving money to Rome, decided to send Heliodorus, his prime minster, to acquire the funds . However, he was unable to do so as Onias III tricked him into thinking that angels had whipped him as he entered the temple, and so he fled and returned to the king empty handed . The fighting intensified between Simon and Onias with a likely outcome of war between the two opposing forces. Each running to the Seleucids government for assistance and for backing. Onias III went to see the king to sort out the dispute, but he died (175 BC). A new king was appointed Antiochus IV, and with him Onias’ III brother, Jason plotted against him and convinced the new King to appoint him as the high priest instead, by bribing him with the promise of money and with the idea of Hellenising the Jewish people in Jerusalem . After Jason came to Hellenise the people, a new rival Menelaus entered the scene in 171 BC to claim Jason’s role as high priest. He was not qualified to be a high priest, but Menelaus was more power hungry and corrupt and harboured a hatred of the Jewish people. He stole from the Jewish people’s temple in order to obtain the money he promised to the king with the help of his brother Lysimachus . The people rose up against Lysimachus for robbing their temple and killed him . However, Menelaus most probably wanted to revenge his brother’s death told the King, of the great treasure that the temple held in

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