deterred by it. On these supposed coins of David, &c., see the very curious remarks of
Wagenseil, Sota, pp. 574, and following. The fullest and most accurate information on all
connected with the coins of the Jews is contained in the large and learned work of Mr.
Madden, ' Coins of the Jews' (vol. ii. of 'The International Numismata Orientalia,' 1881).
Comp. also the Review of this book in the Journal of the Royal Archæological Inst. for
1882 vol. xxxix. pp. 203-206.
The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah
Alfred Edersheim
1883
Appendix 4
AN ABSTRACT OF JEWISH HISTORY FROM THE REIGN OF ALEXANDER
THE GREAT TO THE ASCENSION OF HEROD
(See Book I. ch. 8.)
The political connection of Israel with the the Grecian world, and, with it, the conflict
with Hellenism, may be said to have connected with the victorious progress of Alexander
the Great through the then known world (333 b.c.).1 It was not only that his destruction of
the Persian empire put an end to the easy and peaceful allegiance which Judæa had
owned to it for about two centuries, but that the establishment of such a vast Hellenic
empire. as was the aim of Alexander, introduced a new element into the world of Asia.
Everywhere the old civilisation gave way before the new. So early as the commencement
of the second century before Christ, Palestine was already surrounded, north, east, and
west, with a girdle of Hellenic cities, while in the interior of the land itself Grecianism
had its foothold in Galilee and was dominant in Samaria. But this is not all. After
continuing the frequent object of contention between the rulers of Egypt and Syria,
Palestine ultimately passed from Egyptian to Syrian domination during the reign of
Seleucus IV. (187-175 b.c.). His successor was that Antiochus IV., Epiphanes (175-164),
whose reckless determination to exterminate Judaism, and in its place to substitute
Hellenism, led to the Maccabean rising. Mad as this attempt seems, it could scarcely have
been made had there not been in Palestine itself a party to favour his plans. In truth,
Grecianism, in its worst form, had long before made its way, slowly but surely, into the
highest quarters. For the proper understanding of this history its progress must be briefly
indicated.
1. We do not here discuss the question, whether or not Alexander really entered
Jerusalem. Jewish legend has much to tell of him, and reports many supposed inquiries
on his part or discussions between him and the Rabbis, that prove at least the deep
impression which his appearance had made, and the permanent results which followed
from it.