The Jewish Diaspora

Syrian Control

Persia controlled Judah, then other powers came in and took control
300 B.C., Egypt took over the Jewish homeland
Egyptians tolerated Judaism and left Judah to their custom and religious practices
However, by 198 B.C., the Seleucids (a Syrian Empire) conquered Judah
Under Seleucid rule, Jews were treated well
In 168 B.C., a new Seleucid king tried to force the Jews to worship Greek gods
This king announced that the Jewish Second Temple would be dedicated to the Greek god Zeus
Jews, led by the Maccabees family, rebelled against Seleucid rule
The Jews won and took back their temple

Jewish independence didn't last very long
Around 63 B.C., Rome took control of the Jewish homeland
Initially, the Romans allowed the Jews to rule themselves
Later, the Romans insisted that Jews worship the Roman gods
Many Jews, like the Zealots ("The Zealots were an aggressive political party whose concern for the national and religious life of the Jewish people led them to despise even Jews who sought peace and conciliation with the Roman authorities") did not want to worship the Roman gods
The Zealots wanted to rebel with arms

The Jewish Zealots rebel
War breaks out in 66 A.D.
The powerful Roman army stops the resistance and destroys most of Jerusalem
The Jewish Second Temple is destroyed by the Roman army
In 70 A.D., the Jewish Zealots fight fiercely in their mountain fortress in Masada
The Roman army ends the Jewish revolt

After the Romans defeated the Jews, the Jewish people began to leave Jerusalem and settled in other lands
From the Babylonian Exile to the defeat of the Zealots, Jews began the Jewish Diaspora (people who leave their homeland for other lands)

Jews kept their religion alive by practicing their cultural traditions and religious practices wherever they made their home
These dispersed Jews ensured that Judaism lived on and eventually become a worldwide religion
This monotheistic religion was unique and influenced later religions like Christianity

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