Palestine History Series: Episode 3 – The Hellenistic and Roman Periods
In this third installment of our series, we delve into the transformative epochs of the Hellenistic and Roman periods in Palestine, highlighting their profound impact on the region's cultural, political, and religious landscape. The Hellenistic Period (332–63 BCE) The Hellenistic era commenced with the conquest of Palestine by Alexander the Great in 332 BCE. This ushered in a wave of Hellenistic culture, influencing various facets of life, including art, architecture, philosophy, and religion. Following Alexander's death in 323 BCE, his vast empire was divided among his generals, leading to the establishment of the Ptolemaic and Seleucid kingdoms. Palestine became a contested territory between these two powers, changing hands multiple times during the Wars of the Diadochi. Initially, the Ptolemies of Egypt maintained control over Palestine, fostering economic prosperity and relative stability. However, the Seleucids eventually gained dominance, leading to significant cultural...