An examination of the impact that Greek rule had on Judaism by examining the writings of Aristobolus and Philo.
This paper looks at the influence that Hellenistic rule had on Judaism of the time. It explains how the Jews compromised by altering enough to blend in, but did not completely lose their roots and heritage. It focuses on the writings of Aristobolus and Philo, two Hellenistic Jewish philosophers who provided a rich source of information for understanding Jewish life during this period.
“During the 5th century B.C., several lands including that of the Hebrew people came under Greek rule due to Alexander the Great’s conquests. Previously, the Babylonians had conquered the Hebrews? kingdom, destroying the capital city, Jerusalem, along with their religious center, Solomon’s Temple. The Babylonians also exiled most of the Hebrew people from their homeland. However, when the Persians later conquered Babylon, the Hebrews were allowed to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple. When the armies of Alexander the Great in turn defeated the Persians, the Hebrews were allowed to return, and Jerusalem and their homeland came under Greek rule. Hebrew literature written under Greek rule during this time period is therefore called Second-Temple literature, since the Babylonians destroyed the first Temple.”