Chapter V: Part IV: Israel (3)

All this applies to original inscriptions comparable to those which have come down to us from Egypt and Mesopotamia. But as every one knows, the story is quite different when we consider the Hebrew records that have come down to us through the efforts of successive generations of copyists. Here again we find that the case of the Israelites is sharply contrasted with that of the Assyrio-Babylonians. The records of the latter, produced in such abundance, and preserved by burial, were soon forgotten, because no lineal descendants of the people who made them were at hand to interest themselves in their preservation. The Hebrew records were passed down from one generation to another through a never ending series of copies: so that, curiously enough, the same agency which resulted in the destruction of the original documents themselves effected at the same time a permanent preservation of their contents. Thus it has happened that the oriental nation which has left us the fewest antiquities has sent down to us the most voluminous and complete literature.

It is to this literature of the Hebrews themselves that we must chiefly look for the history of that people. Contemporary nations paid but little attention to the Israelites, and the historians of Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greece, and Rome have left us only random references, which in the aggregate suffice to give only the barest glimpses of Hebrew history. Aside from the Bible, including the apocryphal books, the only considerable texts that have come down to us, even from classical times, is the work of Josephus; and that author, it will be recalled, was himself a Jew, though he wrote in the Greek language. But for that matter the oldest existing texts of the Bible itself are also in the Greek language. No Hebrew text is known from earlier than the ninth century A.D.; whereas three reasonably complete Greek codices date from the fourth century A.D.

The authenticity of the various texts of the Hebrew writings need not be discussed here. It is estimated that the various manuscripts in the Greek, Latin, Hebrew, and other languages that are to-day preserved, present, when their texts are critically compared, about one hundred and fifty thousand discrepancies. Under these circumstances there must obviously be certain doubts about the exact reading of many texts; but it is held that the discrepancies as a whole are of minor importance; and doubtless in most instances it may safely be assumed that such is the case. In the main, the chief substance of the original text has probably been preserved, even where details have been consciously or unconsciously altered.

As to the reliability of the original records thus preserved, opinions differ widely. It seems to be generally conceded that the Hebrews were somewhat lacking in the true historical sense, being in this regard comparable rather to the Egyptians, than to their relatives the Babylonians. But on the other hand, what has already been said about the general reliability of national traditions may be applied with full force here. The most sceptical historian will hardly deny that in their broad outlines the books of the Old Testament give expression to the actual facts of Hebrew history, however prejudiced the point of view, and however lacking the sense of chronology. In any event, whatever doubt may be cast upon the authenticity of any particular Bible record, the fact remains that, generally speaking, the Bible records as a whole constitute practically our sole source for ancient Hebrew history. As has been said, the references made here and there by other nations, by which the Bible records may be checked, have abundant interest, but can hardly be said to be truly consequential. There is, indeed, but a single inscription known to us in the original which makes direct reference to a specific event mentioned in the Bible. This unique monument is the famous Moabite stone, which bears an inscription in which King Mesha refers to an encounter with the Hebrews, which is told of from the other standpoint in the Bible reference. For all practical purposes, then, it is to the Bible alone that the historian must turn in attempting to reconstruct the history of Israel. No one need be reminded with what zeal this source has been investigated.

The attitude of the modern critic towards the Hebrew texts has changed very radically within the past few generations. As long ago as the year 1753 Dr. Astruc, court physician to Louis XV, pointed out that the earlier books of the Old Testament were not homogeneous. The suggestion was at that time regarded as most iconoclastic, and it had little influence. But in the nineteenth century a new school of scientific criticism arose which went back virtually to the position of Dr. Astruc, then forged ahead to still more iconoclastic conclusions. It was pointed out that two different sources had been used in the compilation of the first two chapters of Genesis. A further analysis placed the heterogeneous nature of the Pentateuch, or as one school of critics would prefer, the Hexateuch, seemingly beyond question. The upshot of the matter, so far as this can be phrased in a few words, is that many books of the Old Testament, once regarded as of undisputed authorship, are now considered by the dominant school of critics to be anonymous. Indeed, this remark applies, according to Professor Ewald, to the narrative books of the Old Testament without exception. Ewald’s views on the subject are worth quoting _in extenso_ as showing the opinion of a recognised leader of this new school of criticism.

“There is one general token by which, in spite of its apparent insignificance, we can at once recognise with tolerable certainty the whole distinctive character of Hebrew historiography in relation to a special science of history. This token is the anonymous character of the historical books.

“The historian did not mention himself as the author nor do the readers make much inquiry after his name; this custom is persistent throughout and was only gradually changed in the last centuries, as may be concluded from the book of Ezra and Nehemiah, and from the Chronicles which question more particularly as to the names of the authors of more ancient histories. Moreover, it is only in these last days of the ancient people that names like ‘Book of Moses’ or ‘Books of Samuel’ appear, as will be shown presently. We must say that the practice of writing anonymously was established for the historical works from the very first, and that in the most flourishing times of historiography it was retained unaltered; it was just this that constituted the fundamental distinction between the writing of Hebrew history and that of both Greek and Arab (especially Mohammedan), and here was a failing from which it never properly freed itself even in later times. Much as, amongst the Indians, little inquiry has from ancient times been made concerning the author of a Purana, and the individual himself did not usually mention his own name.”

This estimate may doubtless be regarded as fairly representative of the opinions of such modern authorities as Wellhausen, Stade, Kittel, and Cheyne. It would be far afield from the present purpose to enter into a discussion of this subject in detail. Needless to say, there is scarcely any other topic that has excited more general interest or more acrimonious controversy. But for the purposes of the general historian it suffices to know that the historical writings of the Hebrews are now subjected to the same kind of analysis that is applied to the other writings of antiquity, and that, making the usual allowances for the ambiguities of an unscientific age, for the national prejudice of a peculiarly stubborn and egotistical people, and for the chronological inaccuracies of a race somewhat deficient in the historical sense, the Hebrew writings, like the writings of the old Greek historians, may be said to have stood fairly well the test of modern criticism.

Overlooking, for the present purpose, the traditional early wanderings of the race, the history of Israel as a nation properly begins with the occupation of the land of Canaan. The tribes practically occupy the territories subsequently called after them, and become consolidated into a nation. But the Philistines and Phœnicians still hold the coast land, and the Canaanites some of their central strongholds.

THE AGE OF THE JUDGES (1180-1020 B.C.)

B.C. The so-called judges are tribal chiefs, military leaders,
who in this period stand at the head of the state. There
is no regular transmission of authority, and no one is at
the head of all the tribes at once. Sometimes they rule
contemporaneously. In this age of settlement the bonds
between the different tribes gradually become dissolved
as they attain to security and peace. The earlier judges
carry on the conquest of Canaan, and repel some outside
invaders. Barak of Kadesh prompted by the prophet Deborah
deals a crushing blow on the banks of the Kishor to a strong
coalition of northern Canaanites under the leadership of
Sisera. Gideon, one of the judges, puts a stop to the
frequent incursions of the Midianites. The need of a
monarchy begins to be felt. Gideon refuses a crown offered
by the tribes of central Palestine, but his son Abimelech,
aided by Shechemite kinsfolk, attempts to found a kingship.
He is unsuccessful owing to internal dissension among his
followers.

Jephthah leads the Gileadites in a successful campaign
against the Ammonites, and this leads to a bloody tribal
conflict between the Gileadites and Ephraimites. There are
short wars with Philistia, with which the name of Samson the
Danite is connected. In one of them the Israelites are
1040 badly beaten at Aphek and the Ark of the Covenant captured.
The latter is returned after seven months, and sent to
Kirjath-jearim for safe keeping. The tribes are rapidly
becoming disorganised, though by conquest and fusion with
the Canaanites they have become a large and vigorous people.
The old religion is almost forgotten. In this age probably
belongs the beginning of Hebrew literature, and the use of
writing becomes common.

About twenty years after the battle of Aphek, Samuel, the
last of the judges, calls an assembly of the tribes at
Mizpeh. Law and order are restored in the community, and
the covenant with Yahveh renewed. To complete the work of
unification, Saul of Benjamin is elected king of Israel, and
anointed by Samuel. Samuel also establishes schools of the
prophets (Nebiim) in various parts of the land, whose main
duties are to keep the light of religion from dying out, and
to preserve the feeling of national unity.

THE MONARCHY TO THE DIVISION OF ISRAEL (1020-930 B.C.)

1020 =Saul.=--He delivers Jabesh-Gilead from the besieging
Ammonites, and assisted by his son Jonathan, conducts a
successful war against the Philistines. His leniency towards
Agag, king of the Amalekites, brings about his rejection
by Samuel. David, an unknown youth, becomes attached to
the king’s person, probably on account of his skill as a
musician. Saul finally regards David as a rival, and exiles
him. David gathers his tribesmen and many malcontents about
him, and makes the Cave of Adullam his stronghold. He attacks
1010 the Philistines and the Amalekites. Saul and three sons are
slain at Mount Gilboa in a battle with the Philistines, and
=Eshbaal= (=Ishbosheth=), a surviving son, is made king
by Abner, Saul’s general. David returns to Hebron and is
anointed king of Judah. After several conflicts between the
forces of the rival kings, Abner quarrels with Eshbaal and
makes overtures to David, but is shortly assassinated by
Joab.

1002 Murder of Eshbaal. =David= is invited to the throne of all
Israel. Judah becomes the leading tribe. The Philistines
revolt. David defeats them at Baal-perazim and Rephaim. Gath
becomes tributary. David dislodges the Canaanites from Jebus
and refounds the city, now Jerusalem. Royal palace on Mount
Zion built. The Ark is brought from Kirjath-jearim to the
new capital. David goes to war to defend and consolidate his
kingdom. Campaigns against Edom, Moab, and Ammon. Rabbath
Ammon captured, and inhabitants barbarously put to death.
His son =Absalom= rebels and receives such support that
David flees from Jerusalem, and Absalom takes possession.
The king returns after Absalom’s death. The revolt of
Sheba is suppressed and punished. Through her influence,
Bathsheba succeeds in having her son Solomon appointed heir
over Adonijah, the eldest son. The kingdom now extends from
the borders of Egypt to the Euphrates on the west, and the
Orontes on the north.

970 =Solomon.=--King at David’s death. He puts Adonijah, Joab,
and Shimei to death at once. Banishes Abiathar the high
priest, and installs Zadok. Marries daughter of the Pharaoh
(probably Pasebkhanu II). Makes alliance with Hiram of Tyre.
Builds fortresses and institutes an elaborate system of
taxation, which arouses discontent and jealousy.

966-959 Building of the temple at Jerusalem. In the luxuries
of the court various forms of heathen worship creep in,
and the oppression of the people to support the king’s
splendour, paves the way to disruption. Hadad of Edom and
Rezon of Damascus become powerful rivals.

940 Jeroboam of Ephraim, revolts with the help of Ahijah of
Shiloh. The plot fails, and Jeroboam seeks refuge with
Shashanq I of Egypt.

930 At death of Solomon, the ten northern tribes which get
no promise of better treatment from his successor, openly
revolt, and sending for Jeroboam, elect him their king.
Rehoboam, Solomon’s son, retains Judah and Benjamin only.

THE DIVIDED KINGDOM

JUDAH (930-586 B.C.) ISRAEL (930-722 B.C.) (Judah and Benjamin) (The Ten Northern Tribes)

930 =Rehoboam= attempts to win back 930 =Jeroboam I= becomes leader of
the ten tribes; finally prevented a democratic movement looking
by the prophet Shemaiah. to the abolishment of the
elective monarchy. Makes Dan
925 Invasion of Judah by Shashanq I and Bethel the chief centres
of Egypt. of religion, where Yahveh
is worshipped in the form of a
Capture and sack of Jerusalem. bull. A new non-Levitical
priesthood started. Ahijah,
920 =Abijam=, king of Judah. the prophet, denounces these
reactionary measures.

917 =Asa=, king of Judah. Wars 917 =Nadab= succeeds his father,
with Israel continue. Asa is murdered after two years by
allies himself with Ben-Hadad 915 =Baasha=, a captain of
I of Damascus. the army, while besieging
Gibbethon. Baasha makes himself
king, and is denounced by the
prophet Jehu. Ben-Hadad
invades Israel.

892 =Elah=, Baasha’s son succeeds
him, and is slain in conspiracy
890 by =Zimri=, one of his
officers, who, usurping the
throne for seven days, is
killed by =Omri=, the commander
of the Israelites, who takes
the throne after slaying
another pretender, Tibni. The
capital of the kingdom is
transferred from Sechem to
Samaria, built by Omri. He
founds the first secure
dynasty in Israel--makes the
Moabites pay tribute, but is
hard pressed by the growing
power of Damascus.

874 =Jehoshaphat=, king of Israel. 875 =Ahab=, king of Israel. Defeats
Alliance of Judah and Israel the Syrians twice, and then, to
through marriage of Jehoram the offence of the prophets,
and Athaliah, daughter of allies himself with them,
Ahab. probably to resist Assyria.

854 Shalmaneser II of Assyria
invades Syria, and defeats
Israelites and Syrians at
Qarqar. The alliance comes to
an end, and Ahab is killed the
following year in attempting to
recover Ramoth-gilead from
Ben-Hadad. Ahab marries
Jezebel, daughter of Ethbaal of
Tyre, and the worship of Baal
is instituted at Tyre. The
prophet Elijah vigorously
denounces this course. Contest
between Baal and Yahveh,
after which the latter is
rehabilitated. Elijah flees.

853 =Ahaziah=, king of Israel.
Elijah rebukes him for calling
on Baal-zebub, the god of
Ekron.

851 =Jehoram= succeeds his brother
with help of Jehoshaphat.
Attempts to recover allegiance
of Moabites, but fails.

849 =Jehoram=, son of Jehoshaphat, Elisha, servant and successor
succeeds his father. Athaliah of Elijah, comes into
attempts to introduce the prominence, and makes fierce
heathenism and profligacy of war upon Baal worship, and in
Israel into Judah. The Edomites the course of this anoints
successfully revolt. The Jehu, an officer of the army,
Philistines invade and pillage king. Jehu in revolt at once
Jerusalem. attacks Jehoram and Ahaziah,
who are visiting him, and slays
them both.

844 =Ahaziah= succeeds his father. 843 =Jehu.= Roots out Baal worship
Is killed by Jehu. by fire and sword. The house of
Omri is entirely exterminated.
842 =Athaliah= usurps throne. Kills Comes to terms and pays tribute
all the royal house except Joash, to Shalmaneser II, to protect
who is concealed by the high his kingdom from Syria.
priest Jehoiada. The cult of
Baal established in Jerusalem.

836 Jehoiada organises an
insurrection. Athaliah is
murdered and =Joash= made king.
Reaction against Baal worship,
although the cult still
continues. Prophecies of
Zechariah. Hazael of Damascus
invades Judah.

815 =Jehoahaz=, Jehu’s son,
succeeds him. Ben-Hadad III of
Damascus besieges Samaria, but
withdraws on approach of
Assyrian army.

802 =Jehoash.= Defeats Syrians and
recovers lost cities. Israel
797 =Amaziah.= The Edomites defeated delivered from the Syrian yoke.
in the valley of Salt. Death of Elisha. Defeat and
Declares war upon Israel and capture of Amaziah at
is badly defeated. Assassinated Beth-shemesh. Enters Jerusalem.
at Lachish in a conspiracy. 782 =Jeroboam II=, his son,
succeeds. Recovers all of lost
territory from Syria, reduced
to impotency by Assyria, and
Israel extends once more from
“the entering in of Hamath unto
the sea of the Arabah.”

778 =Azariah (Uzziah).= Builds harbour An era of peace and prosperity
of Elath. Era of commercial begins, although the attitude
prosperity. Kingdom made of Assyria is threatening.
secure against the Philistines.
Uzziah dies a leper. Prophecies of Amos and Hosea.
They denounce the corruption
and heathenism of the people,
and predict the fall of the
kingdom.

741 =Zechariah=, king of Israel.

740 =Jotham=, his son, becomes 740 =Shallum=, a conspirator,
king, after a short regency. murders the king and takes the
throne.

738 =Menahem=, a soldier, kills and
replaces Shallum. Levies an
immense tax to purchase
Tiglathpileser III’s support to
his claim on the throne.

737 =Pekahiah=, his son, succeeds.

736 =Ahaz=, a man of weak character, 736 =Pekah=, an officer at the head
succeeds his father. In spite of a military plot, slays the
of the prophet Isaiah’s warnings, king and seizes the throne.
calls upon Tiglathpileser Allies himself with Rezin of
III to help resist Pekah and Damascus to attack Judah.
Rezin. Religion is in a state
of corrupt decay. Prophecies 734 =Hoshea=, supported by
of Isaiah and Micah. Isaiah Tiglathpileser, slays Pekah,
preaches against the consequences and becomes an Assyrian vassal.
of the Assyrian alliance
to the nation and religion
of Judah, and advises a policy
of quietness; Micah against
the condition of the poor.

727 =Hezekiah.= Carries out moderate
religious reforms in early
years of reign. The religion 725 Hoshea, on Shabak’s advice,
centralised at Jerusalem. withholds tribute from
Many administrative Shalmaneser IV, who at once
improvements in the kingdom. lays siege to Samaria.

722 Capture of Samaria by
Shalmaneser’s successor Sargon
II. The population is deported
beyond the Euphrates, and
replaced by Assyrio-Babylonian
settlers. Absorption of the
northern kingdom by Assyria.

Growing strength, in spite of Isaiah’s warning of the
702 anti-Assyrian party until finally Hezekiah withholds
tribute from Assyria; his example is followed by other
vassal states of Palestine.

701 Sennacherib invades Palestine. Battle of Eltekeh
(Altaku). Tirhaqa of Egypt comes to Hezekiah’s assistance.
The Assyrians, disabled by great pestilence, return to
Nineveh without taking Jerusalem, but Hezekiah resumes
payment of tribute.

695 =Manasseh= succeeds Hezekiah. Revival of Baal worship.
Reaction against disciples of the prophets who are
persecuted. Adoration of the sun and stars introduced from
Assyria, where Manasseh spends some time as a hostage to
Asshurbanapal.

641 =Amon=, king of Judah. Persecution of the faithful Jews
continues.

639 =Josiah=, son of Amon, succeeds at age of eight.
Terrible social and moral conditions exposed in prophecies
of Zephaniah and Nahum.

621 Pretended discovery by Hilkiah of the “Book of the Law”
leading to religious reforms. Idolatrous emblems are cast
out and local sanctuaries abolished.

608 Neku II of Egypt enters Palestine on a career of
conquest. Josiah meets him at Megiddo and is slain.
=Jehoahaz= elected king by the people over his elder
brother, Jehoiakim.

607 Jehoahaz made prisoner by Neku, and =Jehoiakim= placed
on the throne. Judah, weakened and in disorder, becomes an
Egyptian province.

605 Defeat of Neku by Nebuchadrezzar at Carchemish, in
consequence whereof

601 Jehoiakim becomes a vassal of the Babylonian king.

597 Jehoiakim slain in a Chaldean invasion; his son
=Jehoiachin= succeeds. After three months’ reign is carried
captive to Babylon, after the surrender of Jerusalem to
Nebuchadrezzar. The flower of the population is deported
also. =Mattaniah=, Jehoiachin’s uncle, is appointed king and
his name changed to =Zedekiah=. Jeremiah counsels complete
submission to Babylon, but,

588 Zedekiah rebels, relying on the vain promise of Uah-ab-Ra
[Hophra] of Egypt, and as a consequence

588-586 Siege and capture of Jerusalem by Nebuchadrezzar.

586 The Jews “except the poorest of the land” are carried
into captivity at Babylon. Gedaliah is appointed governor
over the remnant left behind. A few surviving leaders flee
and settle in Egypt, among them Jeremiah. End of the Hebrews
as a nation. Henceforth they exist as a religious community.
Beginning of Judaism.

THE EXILE AND RESTORATION TO THE HEREDITARY HIGH PRIESTS (586-415 B.C.)

586-536 The Period of Exile. The Jews form the nucleus
of a new people. Jehoiachin is released by Amil Marduk
(Evil-Merodach) and treated with kindness. Ezekiel labours
with his people to bear their burden and cheers them with
the hope of restoration. They spend much time in compiling
and revising the literary records of the past. The “Priestly
Code” is compiled.

538 Conquest of Babylon by Cyrus. Persian dominion.

536 Cyrus issues decree permitting Jews to return to
Jerusalem with their sacred vessels and to rebuild the
temple. A band sets out at once headed by Zerubbabel and
Jeshua.

534 The rebuilding of the temple is begun, but interrupted
on account of the opposition of the Samaritans. Haggai and
Zechariah exhort the Jews to complete the temple.

520 The rebuilding is renewed.

516 The temple is dedicated.

510-460 A period whose history is unknown. Zerubbabel may
have been crowned king, but this is doubtful. Judea now
an insignificant province of the empire, controlled by
Persian satraps whose rulers are corrupt and oppressive.
Religious faith again begins to decay. The Law is evaded
and disobeyed, and in this condition of things a small
reactionary and zealous party increase in numbers and
influence.

483 Ezra, a Zadokite priest, is encouraged to visit
Jerusalem on a mission of reform, by Artaxerxes I, who
wishes to conciliate the Jews in Babylon, who are uneasy at
the condition of religion in Judea. His mission fails.

445 Nehemiah, a Babylonian Jew, arrives in Jerusalem with
Artaxerxes’ permission to repair the city’s walls. Ezra
reappears. The Law Book is published and the covenant
between Israel and Yahveh is renewed. The foundation stone
of Judaism is laid. The Law is now the possession of each
Israelite. Nehemiah improves the social condition of the
poor and returns to Persia (433).

432 Second visit of Nehemiah. He finds some of the old
abuses again in practice. The founding of the Samaritan
colony gets rid of those opposed to Nehemiah, and unifies
the loyal Jews.

415 Death of Nehemiah. The internal administration of Judea
passes to the line of hereditary high priests.

THE HIGH PRIESTS TO THE MACCABÆAN RISING (415-167 B.C.)

415 =Eliashib=, high priest. He and his successors direct
the affairs of Judea assisted by a council of elders and
priests.

413 =Joiada= becomes high priest.

373 =Johanan= murders his brother Joshua, who attempts to
seize the high-priesthood. The Persian satrap interferes
and fines the Jews.

350 Judea ravished by Artaxerxes III, while suppressing a
Syrian revolt. The temple destroyed. Many Jews deported.

341 =Jaddua= becomes high priest. The age of “Wisdom”
literature (Khokmah).

333 Overthrow of the Persian Empire by Alexander at the
battle of Issus. Israel has a new master.

323 At death of Alexander, Judea becomes a part of the
satrapy of Syria.

321 =Onias I= becomes high priest.

320 Conquest of Jerusalem by Ptolemy Lagus. He deports some
of the inhabitants to Egypt.

314-302 Judea a Syrian province.

302 Ptolemy Lagus retakes Judea.

300 =Simon the Just= becomes high priest. He repairs the
temple and strengthens the fortifications of the city.

294-280 Judea nominally a Seleucid province.

285 Ptolemy Philadelphus succeeds his father, who abdicates.
The Septuagint version of the Bible begun under his
patronage.

250 =Onias II= becomes high priest. Tries to withhold
tribute from Ptolemy.

247 Ptolemy Euergetes succeeds his father.

222 Ptolemy Philopator succeeds his father.

219 In the war between Antiochus the Great and Ptolemy
Philopator, Jerusalem is pillaged and the temple profaned
by the latter.

217 =Simon II= becomes high priest.

204 Judea lost to the Ptolemies, under whom she has been
happier than any time since she lost her independence,
and comes under the rule of the Seleucidæ.

198 =Onias III= becomes high priest. Antiochus makes a
bloodless capture of Jerusalem. His treatment of the
Jews is very favourable.

187 Seleucus Philopator succeeds Antiochus.

176 Attempt of Heliodorus, instigated by the viceroy
Apollonius, to plunder the temple.

175 Antiochus Epiphanes succeeds Seleucus.

175 =Onias=, friendly to the Egyptian party, is deposed by
Antiochus IV, and retiring to Egypt with his followers
founds Leontopolis. =Jason= becomes high priest. A Greek
gymnasium established at Jerusalem.

172 =Menelaus= ousts Jason from the priesthood.

Antiochus intervenes in the resulting quarrel. Menelaus
is forcibly installed as high priest and Apollonius takes
Jerusalem. Profanation of the temple. Daily sacrifice and
other rites suspended.

THE MACCABÆAN RISING TO THE FALL OF JERUSALEM (167 B.C.-70 A.D.)

167 There is a rising at Modin, under the priest Mattathias,
because Syrian officers try to compel the Jews to worship
heathen deities. Many desperate adherents flock to
Mattathias’ standard, and a large band is soon roaming
the country destroying heathen altars and enforcing
circumcision. Mattathias dies (166) making Judas Maccabæus
his successor. A systematic campaign is now decided upon.

166 Judas Maccabæus defeats the Syrians at Emmaus.

165 Judas Maccabæus defeats the Syrians at Bethzur,
reconsecrates the temple and restores daily sacrifice.

164 Antiochus Eupator. The Book of Daniel is written.

162 Judas attempts to expel the Syrian garrison from Acra,
meets a crushing defeat from the Syrians at Bethzur.
=Alcimus=, leader of the Hellenistic party, becomes high
priest, to the resentment of the Maccabæans.

Demetrius I usurps the Syrian throne, and has Antiochus
killed.

161 Judas defeats Nicanor, the Syrian, at Beth-horon
(Adasa). Nicanor slain. Judas defeated and killed at Elasa.
He had made secret overtures to Rome. Judas’ brother
Jonathan succeeds to the leadership of the party.

159 Death of Alcimus. An interregnum in the high-priestship.
Jonathan establishes himself at Michmash as governor of the
Jewish nation.

153 Alexander Balas, a pretender to the Syrian throne, makes
=Jonathan= high priest.

150 Death of Demetrius.

145 Alexander Balas killed by Ptolemy Philometor. Demetrius
II succeeds. Confirms Jonathan in the priesthood.

142 Trypho, the general of Alexander Balas, and his son
Antiochus, seize Jonathan and put him to death. Simon, son
of Mattathias, assumes the leadership, and induces Demetrius
to release Judea from tribute. Capture of Acra by Simon.
Judea free from Syrian control.

141 =Simon= confirmed as high priest. A time of peace and
prosperity. The Law finally re-established.

135 Murder of Simon and his two sons by his son-in-law,
Ptolemy. The third son, =John Hyrcanus=, succeeds to the
high-priesthood. The position becomes one of practically
independent sovereignty. Antiochus VII attempts to recover
Judea. He devastates the country and Hyrcanus is obliged to
purchase the withdrawal of the army, and the immunity of the
capital.

128 Antiochus killed in Parthia. Hyrcanus annexes new
territory. Captures Shechem and Samaria. Era of grandeur for
the Jewish commonwealth.

105 John Hyrcanus dies. His son =Aristobulus= imprisons
his mother, kills two brothers, and assumes title of king.
Conquest and annexation of Ituræa.

104 =Alexander Jannæus= succeeds his brother. The growing
opposition of the Scribes and Pharisees to the development
of the Maccabæan commonwealth into a kingdom, leads to civil
war, during which the Pharisees summon assistance from Syria
and drive Alexander from Jerusalem, but he recovers the
throne and works bloody revenge upon the Pharisees.

79 =Hyrcanus II= succeeds his father Alexander.

78 Alexandra (widow of Jannæus) makes terms with the
Pharisees.

69 =Aristobulus II= wrests power from his brother Hyrcanus.
Antipater, governor of Idumæa, sides with the latter.
Aristobulus defeated, and Hyrcanus nearly succeeds in
65 regaining the throne, but the Romans appear in Syria,
and take sides with Aristobulus.

63 Pompey, appealed to by both princes, captures Jerusalem;
Hyrcanus retains his title, but Judea is made tributary to
Rome.

47 =Antipater= made procurator of Judea, Samaria, and
Galilee by Julius Cæsar. Hyrcanus assumes title of ethnarch.

43 Assassination of Antipater. His son =Phasael= is governor
of Jerusalem. His son =Herod= is governor of Galilee.

40 Phasael captured by Antigonus, son of Aristobulus II, and
commits suicide. Herod flees to Rome and is made king of the
Jews.

37 Herod captures Jerusalem in his war against Antigonus.

He reorganises the sanhedrim, and the Pharisees become
nearly as numerous in it as the priests and elders.

35-25 Herod removes the surviving members of the Asmonæan
family from his path.

20 Herod begins reconstruction of the temple. He founds the
cities of Antipatris and Cæsarea.

7-6 Herod causes the sons of Mariamne to be condemned and
strangled.

4 Birth of Jesus--Death of Herod. He wills his dominions to
his surviving sons, =Herod Antipas= and =Archelaus=.

6 A.D. The Jews appeal to Rome on account of Archelaus’
misgovernment. Augustus deposes the ethnarch, and Judea
becomes a Roman province.

7 The census of Quirinius takes place. =Coponius= is
procurator. He is followed by =Marcus Ambivius= and =Annius
Rufus=.

15 =Valerius Gratus= appointed procurator.

26 =Pontius Pilate= appointed procurator. The procurators
are subordinate to the Imperial Legates of Syria and reside
at Cæsarea.

29 Jesus begins his ministry.

33 Death of Jesus.

36 =Marcellus= appointed procurator.

37 =Marullus= appointed procurator.

38 Persecution of the Jews for refusing to worship Caligula.

41 The emperor Claudius commits the former kingdom of Herod
to the latter’s grandson, =Agrippa=.

44 Death of Agrippa. =Cuspius Fadus= appointed procurator.
The insurrection of Theudas takes place.

46 =Tiberius Alexander= appointed procurator.

48 =Cumanus= appointed procurator. Signs of revolt among the
Jews appear.

52 =Felix= appointed procurator. The state of anarchy
increases. The Zealots become the dominant party.

60 =Porcius Festus= appointed procurator.

62 =Albinus= appointed procurator.

64 =Gessius Florus=, the last procurator, appointed.

66 =Florus= seizes the temple treasure. After other
atrocities the Jews revolt. The Syrian legate appears before
Jerusalem, but quickly raises the siege. The emperor then
appoints Vespasian to conduct the war.

67 Vespasian arrives in Galilee. Siege and capture of
Jotapata. Josephus the insurgent general taken.

68 Siege of Jerusalem begins.

70 Fall of Jerusalem.