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This lecture focused on Hellenitic Jerusalem and Hasmonean Jerusalem. Hellenism was started by Alexander the Great, a greek ruler that ruled from 336-323 BCE. Alexander conquers the majority of the modern middle east, including Jerusalem in 332 BCE. He utilizes coins as propaganda for his greatness. When Alexander the Great dies, his kingdom was divided amoung the leaders into two groups: Prolemies (Egyptians) and Seleucias (Syrians). The Hellenization began when the Seleucids took Jerusalem from the Ptolemies and tried to impose the Greek tradition on the Jews, thinking this would create unity. They attempted to make Greece the main language. While some embraced it, others rejected it. Nevertheless, Greek stories entered the Jewish homes and traditions like circumcision were outlawed.

Those opposing Hellenization, mostly conservative Jews, revolted against Seleucias in the Maccabean Revolt. Even though the Jews were disadvantaged, they won and regained control of Jerusalem. They celebrated this victory with the start of Hanukka and the beginning of the Hasmoneon dynasty. It was ruled for around 100 years until the rulers became corrupt dictators. When the romans came in 63 BCE, they easily conquered Jerusalem.