Second Century at a Glance

I. At the turn of the century

· Hellenization increasing

· Enochic movements are around (will become Essenes)

· Sirach represents priestly trajectory with some similarity to Sadducees

I. Before Maccabean Revolt

· Antiochus III defeats Ptolemaic forces (198BC)

· Simon II repairs temple (Sirach)

· Romans defeat Antiochus III (190B)

· Antiochus IV removes Onias III (175BC)

· Jason installed by Antiochus

§ Rapid Hellenization

§ Aristeas written?

§ Enoch material generated

· Menelaus installed by Antiochus

§ Not a hereditary priest

§ Onias III murdered?

II. Maccabean Revolt

· Antiochus IV Epiphanes sets up “abomination causing desolation” in temple (167BC)

· Judas Maccabeus undertakes guerilla campaign, restores temple (164BC), origination of Hanukkah

· Daniel written?

· 7 year period after Alcimus with unknown priest (159-152)

III. After the Maccabean Revolt

· Jonathan, brother of Judas Maccabeus (152-140)

§ Confirmed as high priest by Syrians (152BC)

§ Teacher of Righteousness goes to Qumran

§ Pharisees, Sadducees, and Essenes now distinct groups

· Simon (140-134)

§ Secures Hasmonean State

· John Hyrcanus (134-104)

§ Destroyed Samaritan Temple

§ Hostile toward Pharisees

· Aristobulus (104-103)

§ First to take the title “king”