Posted on Dec 11, 2018
MAD KINGS AND MACCABEES: THE STORY BEHIND THE FIRST HANUKKAH
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"Upon taking the throne, Antiochus began implementing a plan that would ultimately unite and strengthen the Seleucid realm, and make it a power capable of standing against any of these threats.
The king was convinced that the problem with so sprawling an empire was its diversity of cultures and religions. What was needed was a single unifying culture, one that would make all the disparate people of his empire: Syrians, Babylonians, Assyrians, Medes and Persians; one people loyal to their king. This culture must be Hellenism, the culture of the ruling Graeo-Macedonian class. This had been the dream of Alexander the Great, a unity of peoples under Hellenic civilization. It was a dream Antiochus now made his own. One people, one culture, one ruler: Antiochus.
To this end, the king’s focus was soon drawn south to Judea.
Though a relatively small community within the Empire, the Jews were an important one. First, their land sat upon the strategic crossroads between Syria and Egypt, the respective centers of gravity of the two greatest Hellenistic monarchies.[6] Secondly, Jews provided quality mercenaries to both empires. Fighting in the style known by Hellenistic military writers as thureophoroi, the Jews fought in loose-order with spear and javelin, and had earned a reputation for tenacity."
The king was convinced that the problem with so sprawling an empire was its diversity of cultures and religions. What was needed was a single unifying culture, one that would make all the disparate people of his empire: Syrians, Babylonians, Assyrians, Medes and Persians; one people loyal to their king. This culture must be Hellenism, the culture of the ruling Graeo-Macedonian class. This had been the dream of Alexander the Great, a unity of peoples under Hellenic civilization. It was a dream Antiochus now made his own. One people, one culture, one ruler: Antiochus.
To this end, the king’s focus was soon drawn south to Judea.
Though a relatively small community within the Empire, the Jews were an important one. First, their land sat upon the strategic crossroads between Syria and Egypt, the respective centers of gravity of the two greatest Hellenistic monarchies.[6] Secondly, Jews provided quality mercenaries to both empires. Fighting in the style known by Hellenistic military writers as thureophoroi, the Jews fought in loose-order with spear and javelin, and had earned a reputation for tenacity."
MAD KINGS AND MACCABEES: THE STORY BEHIND THE FIRST HANUKKAH
Posted from deadliestblogpage.wordpress.com
Ancient History
World History
Military History
Hanukkah
Posted 6 y ago
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A good telling of the story and one with a lesson for today. Of the ancient empires, only the Khazars succeeded in creating a culture with disparate religions. They allowed Christians and Muslims to live in their own enclaves practicing their own religion. Each was governed by members of their own communities. Other than religion, the Khazarians were joined by commerce and protected by a well equipped, trained, and disciplined professional Army. Even the Vikings found it better to pay tribute to the Khazars to gain access to the Mediterranean where they could loot the Christians and Muslims. Interestingly, this sounds a lot like America (except for the relationship with the Vikings) doesn't it? BTW, as the opposing Christian and Muslim Empires began threatening the Khazars from both sides, they elected to become Jews so as to not show favoritism between the two warring sides. Sadly for them, it didn't work and their empire fell after 1000 years (one of the most successful in history)
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LTC,
The world system has been trying to destroy the Jewish people and it's belief in a G-d that created the Universe and everything in it. This was just one example of many.
The latest was when Rome destroyed the Temple in 70AD and scattered the Jews to the winds. Yet, after 1900hrs and massive murder, the Jewish State sits on it's rightful land with it's own language. It has never before been done. To come back alive in one day.
Now, surrounded by enemies that the world system loves, the Jews stand again against the Supernatural hate of the world system. See UN resolutions against it.
With Trump, America stands with Israel. We will be given a blessing for it.
Have a good evening Sir.
The world system has been trying to destroy the Jewish people and it's belief in a G-d that created the Universe and everything in it. This was just one example of many.
The latest was when Rome destroyed the Temple in 70AD and scattered the Jews to the winds. Yet, after 1900hrs and massive murder, the Jewish State sits on it's rightful land with it's own language. It has never before been done. To come back alive in one day.
Now, surrounded by enemies that the world system loves, the Jews stand again against the Supernatural hate of the world system. See UN resolutions against it.
With Trump, America stands with Israel. We will be given a blessing for it.
Have a good evening Sir.
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