6.4 The Jews in the Mediterranean World

Front

What is the Diaspora?

Back

Groups of Jews who lived outside Judah throughout the Mediterranean

Front

Who defeated the Persians in 332BC and brought Greek rule, culture and language to the Jews?

Back

Alexander the Great

Front

What did the Greek king Antiochus force the Jews to do?

Back

Worship Greek gods from the Temple

Front

Who were the Seleucids?

Back

They were Greeks who ruled Judah around 200BC

Front

Who was Judas Maccabeus?

Back

He led an army and drove the Greeks out of Judah

Front

Who conquered Judah in 63BC?

Back

The Romans

Front

This group of Jews had the support of the common people, taught in synagogues, and worked to make Judaism a religion of the home and family. They focused on both written and oral law.

Back

The Pharisees

Front

These priests had broken away from the Temple in Jerusalem. They lived in the desert by the Dead Sea, prayed and waited for God to deliver them from Roman rule. They also followed only the written law of the Torah.

Back

Essenes

Front

They believed that the Jews should fight the Romans for their freedom.

Back

Zealots

Front

The group of Jews included wealthy noble families. Many served as priests and scribes in the Temple. They focused on applying the Torah’s laws to temple ceremonies, and rejected oral law.

Back

Sadducees