Lecture 11: Hasmonean Jerusalem

The road to revolt is characterized by conservative Jews resisting Hellenization. The Maccabean Revolt, named after its leader, Judas Maccabaeus, attacked "renegade" Jews and gentile villages in Palestine and Seleucid armies through guerilla warfare. This revolt eventually gained success in 165-164 BCE, which reinstalled Jews in Jerusalem and in control of the Temple. At this time, Hanukkah was established to commemorate the victory and re-claiming of the Temple.

The Maccabean Revolt gives rise to the Hasmonean Dynasty. Archaeological evidence from this point in time takes the form of Jewish coins. These coins are different from Greek coins in that they do not depict any human form as this goes against their religion.

The Hasmonean Rule lasts about 100 years; Jerusalem is autonomic from 165 BCE to about 63 BCE. However, as we will see, this era is the last time the Jews will be in control of their own government until modern times. Under the Hasmonians, Jerusalem expands, and people believe that the "Golden Age" has been restored. The Hasmoneans claim that their leadership will be temporary (as they understand that they are not part of the Davidic line), but their stewardship of the throne lasts far longer than they originally claimed.

Eventually, corruption finds its way back into the political system in Jerusalem, as the Hasmonian rulers who fought so hard to be rid of Hellenization became more Hellenized and secular. They assumed the High Priesthood, along with Kingship, which may have been the reason for the rise of the Qumran Sect who wrote the Dead Sea Scrolls. With their increasing Hellenism, came insensitivity to Jewish religious traditions, execution of political and religious opponents, and employment of mercenaries. Also, religion was used as a tool for nationalistic motives rather than religious ones. Ironically, Hasmonean rulers started to force people into Judaism. Herod the Great's family was believed to be one of the victims of these forced conversions.

The Temple became the center of Jewish identity under the Hasmoneans. Sects began to arise based on their attitudes toward the Temple. The Pharisees were neutral to the Temple, the Sadducees followed the Temple order, and the Qumran and Early Christian Sects were anti-Temple. While Hyrcanus II favors the Pharisees, Aristobus II favors the Sadducees.

However, like most dictatorships, the Hasmonean Rule came to an end with the Roman Conquest in 63 BCE, led by Pompey. Pompey restores Hyrcanus to High Priesthood, but rids his political authority. The entrance of the Romans marks the end of Jewish self-rule until the modern era.