Traditional
Judaism was faced with radical changes brought about
by the Greco-Roman World that entered Palestine at
the end of the Fourth Century BCE. These changes
were met with varying responses as the Judean community
sought to re-discover itself in this "world
turned upside down".

------With internal disharmony
afflicting Judea of the Second Century BCE, Rome
saw a way to get her foot in the door of what would
prove to be a rich yet troublesome province. King
Herod, established on the throne by Rome in 40
BCE, attempted to reconcile the Empire with the
unique nature of the Judean People. See Herod's
Kingdom in its full splendor and glory.
------ Herod's Jewish Capital of Jerusalem was
the crowning achievement of this enigmatic king. From palaces,
to the great Temple, he attempted to blend the best of both the
Jewish and Roman Worlds together.
------ The Apocalyptic Age had dawned and the
Roman Empire carried out one too many 'reforms' against Judea.
A revolt ensued in 66 CE, with Rome deciding to make an example
of Judea that all other provinces could look to as the reaction
that the Empire would take against unruly provinces. They finally
crushed this revolt with the destruction of Masada in 73 CE.
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