• Judea AD 1

The Seleucids maintained a policy of toleration towards the Jews until the reign of Antiochus IV, who determined to end their separate identity. To this end, he set up statues of the Greek gods in the Jerusalem Temple (167 BC).

This provoked a fierce response, and the Jews rose in revolt under the leadership of the five sons of Judas Maccabeus. By 163 an independent state had been created, under the rulership of this family.

This Jewish state lasted about a century, until, in 63 BC, it was conquered by the Romans. In 39 BC the Romans gave the territory to their loyal supporter in the region, Herod.

He soon converted to Judaism, and set about rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem along magnificent lines. However, the Jews feel their loss of independence deeply, and this is a troubled time for them.

By this date, AD 1, Jesus of Nazareth has been born.

Related Timelines:
Timeline of Middle East History
Timeline of the Roman Empire

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