Part 8/19:
The captivity also fostered the codification of Jewish law and the dominance of rabbinic tradition, which replaced the temple-centered worship. The Persians allowed Jews to return and rebuild Jerusalem and the temple, a period that saw the forging of a distinctly Jewish identity from the remnants of history.
Hellenistic and Roman Periods: Revolts and Diaspora
Following Persia’s decline, Alexander the Great brought Greek influence to the region, leading to successive Hellenistic rulers—most notably the Seleucids—who attempted to suppress Jewish monotheism. At this juncture, the Jewish people launched the Maccabean Revolt, a rare successful indigenous rebellion against Greek colonial rule, which briefly restored Jewish independence.