Greek Influence In Ancient Greece

323-200 B.C.E.
After the death of Alexander the Great in 323 B.C.E, the Greek empire was divided. The control of Palestine was given to Greek leaders located in both Syria and Egypt. For about one hundred years, most of Israel was ruled by the Greeks in Egypt. Even though Greek Influence was noticed across Palestine (especially in Galilee), the Jews were generally allowed to coordinate their internal affairs without any interference from Greek authorities.
198-142 B.C.E.
From 198 to 142 B.C.E the Greeks in Syria controlled Israel. The rulers urged heavy taxation, political and religious groups began to develop among the Jews. After the desecration of the Temple by The Greeks, the Jews rebelled. In the year 164 B.C.E, the sacred temple was rededicated, an event still remembered and celebrated by the Jews today, with the Feast of Dedication, or Hanukkah. In 142 B.C.E the Jewish gained their independence.
142-63 B.C.E.
Unfortunately, during their independency from 142 to 63 B.C.E the Jews had poor leaders to guide them during that time. Cliques within Judaism became established: Sadducees (emphasizing acceptance of the written Law alone), Essenes (religiously very strict), Pharisees (more concerned about religion than politics). Pressure grew among the
until after the time of Jesus. By 37 B.C.E. the Romans had selected a shrewd Idumean Jew named Herod to rule Israel. (Idumean Jews were not respected by mainline Jews because the faith had been forced upon the Idumeans.) Herod ruled until his death in 4 B.C.E., and toward the end of his reign, Jesus was born (between 6 and 4 B.C). After his death, the Romans allowed his power to be passed on to his sons. One of them Herod Antipas, was given control of Galilee and Perea. A second son, was given control of the northeast region of Palestine. The third son, was put in charge to rule: Judea, Samaria, and Idumea, but was a poor leader that the Romans replaced him with a