Christian Scriptures Terms (Chap 4 & 5)

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Alexander the Great

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Tutored by Aristotle until age 16.

Served as regent & military commander for father.

In 336 BCE, became king of Macedonia at age 20.

Within a decade, created largest empires from Egypt to Greece to India.

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Hellenism (Hellenization)

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Spread of ancient Greek culture & language over foreign peoples conquered by Greece or brought into its sphere of influence, particularly during the Hellenistic period, following campaigns of Alexander the Great (336-323 BCE).

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The Ptolemies

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Ptolemy dynasty in Egypt.

Ruled for almost 300 years, most famous, Cleopatra.

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The Seleucids

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Seleucus dynasty in Syria.

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Antiochus IV (Epiphanes) *Seleucid

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From 175-163 BCE).

Epiphanes = [God] Manifest.

Goal to unify diverse elements of the Seleucid kingdom through forced total Hellenization.

Supported pro-Greek in Jerusalem, installed Jason as high priest.

Set to capture Egypt.

- Set up calendar for Greek worship

- Offering to Zeus in temple

- Made Torah illegal

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Septuagint

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Greek translation of the Hebrew Old Testament.

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Maccabean Revolt

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Jewish revolt against Epiphanes from 167-164 BCE).

Mattathias (priest of Modim) fights with 5 sons & captured Jerusalem in 164 BCE.

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167 BCE

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Epiphanes brutally enforces Hellenization policy upon Jews of Palestine.

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Hasideans (Hasidim)

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Pious ones who choose to remain loyal to the Jewish law.

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Judas Maccabeus

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Son of Mattathias, nicknamed "the Hammer", becomes the leader of Maccabean revolt.

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Maccabee

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Named after Mattathias' son, Judas, who was nicknamed "the Hammer" (Maccabee). He was effective in planning & executing attacks on Seleucids.

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Hanukkah

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Feast of Dedication to commemorate recapture of Jerusalem; purification & rededication of temple in December 164 BCE.

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Hasmonean Dynasty

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Jewish independence from 142-63 BCE.

No "kings", only "princes".

Unification of roles, i.e. Simon invested as high priest, prince & military commander.

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Josephus

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Late first century Jewish historian, author of "Jewish Antiquities" & "The Jewish Wars".

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Pompey

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Father-in-law of Julius Caesar.

Backs elder brother as high priest, Hyrcanus II & overthrows Aristobulus II.

Appoints Antipater (Idumean father of Herod the Great) as governor.

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63 BCE

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Arrival of General Pompey.

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Herod the Great

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Idumean son of Antipater, governor of Judea.

Married Hasmonean princess, Mariamme (granddaughter of both Aristobulus II & Hyraculus II).

Reign from 37-4 BCE, loved by Rome but not by Jews.

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Pontius Pilate

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Roman official who served as governor of Judea from 26-36 CE.

Ordered crucifixion of Jesus at around 30 CE.

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The Roman Empire

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Rome transformed from republic into an empire after the death of Julius Caesar in 44 BCE.

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Octavian (Augustus)

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Octavian prevailed the civil wars after assassination of Julius Caesar in 44 BCE & given title "Augustus", which means "savior" of Roman civilization.

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The Jewish War with Rome

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Tensions between Jews & Rome from 66-70 CE up till 70 CE during the fall of the temple.

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What happened in 70CE?

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The destruction of the temple in Jerusalem.

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135 CE

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Complete destruction of Jerusalem. Romans put a square city on top of it & called it Palestine.

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The Bar Kokhba Revolt

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Last revolt led by Simon Bar Kokhba in 132 CE. Resulted in harsh punishment by Rome to level Jerusalem & forbade the Jews to live there.

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Diaspora

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"Dispersion" or the "scattering" of the Jews.

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Jewish Groups: Pharisees

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Pharisees privatized purity by extending dietary regulations to the home.

Known as the "power" people, lawyers, teachers.

In the synagogue.

Food laws, Sabbath, tithing, fence around the law.

Believed in resurrection.

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Sadducees

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Sadducees institutionalized purity in the architectural space of the temple.

Noble wealthy families, tied to high priests.

In the temple.

No institution.

Did not believe in resurrection, & disagreed with Pharisaic traditions of interpretation.

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Essenes

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Essenes isolated purity by creating an alternative community.

Strict interpretation & discipline of the law.

Own withdrawn isolated communities.

Expected 2/3 Messiahs - a prophet, Aaron (priest), Israel (king).

Believed that in the afterlife, a person's soul would experience either a reward for righteousness or punishment for evil.

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Revolutionaries (Zealots, Sicarii, the Fourth Philosophy)

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Refused to acknowledge any leadership apart from God of Abraham.

Did not pay taxes, spoke of revolt, & willingness to suffer to serve God than pagans.

Insist on 1st Commandment, observing purity & Sabbath.

Believed YHWH will save at the end, so willing to die.

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Samaritans

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Branch of Judaism developed during or after the Babylonian exile.

Regard Pentateuch as authoritative Scripture & revered Moses.

Sacred temple in Mount Gerizim.

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Christians

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First generation of Christians (1 CE) consisted of entirely Jews that followed Jesus. Revered Hebrew Scriptures, worshipped YHWH & at the temple of Jerusalem before destruction.

Soon after, joined by more Gentiles & evolved into separate religion.

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Rabbinic Judaism

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Predecessor of modern forms of Judaism. Survived through the Pharisees after the fall of the temple through teachings through the synagogue.

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Jamnia

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Within 20 years after the fall of the temple, Pharisees clustered here.

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The Mishnah

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Pharisees compiled various additional texts that either interpreted or supplemented the Hebrew Scriptures. An example is the Mishnah.

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Old Testament Apocrypha

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"Hidden" texts from the time period between Old & New Testament.

Books included historical narratives, "romances" & wisdom writings.

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The Olympian gods

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Gods worshipped through sacrifices, rituals & festivals in different localities.

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Epicureans

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Freed from the fear of the gods, then to pursue pleasurable life which is marked by the absence of pain & the presence of justice, wisdom & honor.

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Stoics

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Living in harmony with the divinely determined & structure universe (Logos).

Must practice self-control, enduring pleasure or pain as well as personal gain or loss with equal serenity.

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Emperor cult

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At first, Romans believed their emperors became gods at death but later, emperors demanded to be worshipped as gods.

Worship of emperors, was closely associated with showing loyalty to the Roman empire, resulting in Christian dilemma.

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Mystery religions

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"Secret" associations that demand membership fees & initiation ceremonies & oaths of secrecy.

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Iconography

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A pictorial illustration of a given subject, & the collected representation illustrating a subject.

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Differences of "Mithraism"/mystery religions & Christianity

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1. Accessibility - all are accepted to Christianity.

2. Historical moorings - centered on Jesus.

3. Ethical & theological content.

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Platonic dualism

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1. Spiritual world - Perfect, eternal ideas. Invisible, Soul.

2. Physical world - matter & sense impressions. Tangible, Body.