In this Grade 4 lesson from Discovering Our Past: a History of the World, students learn how Alexander the Great's conquest brought Greek rule to Judah and how the Diaspora spread Jewish ideas across the Mediterranean world. Students explore the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, and examine how the Maccabees revolted against Seleucid king Antiochus IV, leading to the rededication of the Temple and the origins of Hanukkah. The lesson also introduces students to comparing and contrasting Greek and Roman rule over the Jewish homeland.
Section 1
Jews Preserve Faith Under Foreign Rule
Throughout Greek and Roman occupations, Jews maintained their religious identity despite persecution. The Maccabees revolted against Greek rulers while Jewish groups like Pharisees, Sadducees, and Zealots responded differently to Roman control.
Section 2
Diaspora Spreads Jewish Ideas Across Regions
Jews living outside their homeland formed communities throughout Mediterranean lands. They practiced their customs while adopting aspects of Greek culture, translating their Bible into Greek, helping spread Jewish teachings beyond Judah.
Section 3
Rabbis Rebuild Judaism After Temple's Destruction
When Romans destroyed the Second Temple in 70 A.D., rabbis like Yohanan ben Zaccai established schools to teach Torah. They created the Mishnah and Talmud, preserving Jewish traditions and allowing Judaism to survive without a temple.
Section 4
Dead Sea Scrolls Reveal Ancient Jewish Diversity
Ancient scrolls discovered in 1947 near the Dead Sea show Judaism wasn't a uniform religion during Roman times. Various texts reveal different Jewish groups with unique beliefs and practices, providing historians with valuable insights.
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Section 1
Jews Preserve Faith Under Foreign Rule
Throughout Greek and Roman occupations, Jews maintained their religious identity despite persecution. The Maccabees revolted against Greek rulers while Jewish groups like Pharisees, Sadducees, and Zealots responded differently to Roman control.
Section 2
Diaspora Spreads Jewish Ideas Across Regions
Jews living outside their homeland formed communities throughout Mediterranean lands. They practiced their customs while adopting aspects of Greek culture, translating their Bible into Greek, helping spread Jewish teachings beyond Judah.
Section 3
Rabbis Rebuild Judaism After Temple's Destruction
When Romans destroyed the Second Temple in 70 A.D., rabbis like Yohanan ben Zaccai established schools to teach Torah. They created the Mishnah and Talmud, preserving Jewish traditions and allowing Judaism to survive without a temple.
Section 4
Dead Sea Scrolls Reveal Ancient Jewish Diversity
Ancient scrolls discovered in 1947 near the Dead Sea show Judaism wasn't a uniform religion during Roman times. Various texts reveal different Jewish groups with unique beliefs and practices, providing historians with valuable insights.
Book overview
Jump across lessons in the current chapter without opening the full course modal.
Continue this chapter