Mid-term Exam Flashcards
Hellenism
The spreading of Greek culture into other parts of the world.
The Greek culture that dominated the Mediterranean world after Alexander the Great; but Judaism and Christianity worked out their identity in the context of Hellenism
Alexander the Great
356-323 bce
Quickly, boldly and ruthlessly overran Greece to the south
Desire to spread Greek culture to lands that were conquered.
Greco-roman
The cultural mix of the first century Mediterranean world, in which Greek civilization continued to exercise influence within roman political rule
Herod the great
Jewish puppet king of Jerusalem
Septuagint
Greek interpretation of the Jewish bible completed in 250 BCE.
LXX- 70 translators
Heavily used by christians as their first scripture
Polis
The Greek city-state, one of the instruments by which Alexander hoped to create a pan-Hellenistic world.
Maccabean revolt
When Antiochus IV Epiphanes tried to impose syncretistic worship by placing a statue of Zeus Olympus in the temple and forbidding observance of Torah
Monotheism
A belief distinctive to Judaism in antiquity-although some philosophers approached it-that God was singular in existence, the one power that creates, sustains and judges the world.
Polytheism
The religious system that thinks of the divine power as distributed among many gods and goddesses, often envisaged in terms of an extended family (e.g. The Olympians)
Roman Empire
Established in 27bce Powerful and efficient Extended right of citizenship Over-populated cities reliant on roman government High taxation.
Mystery religions
Religious cults that developed in Greece. In the Hellenistic era proliferated in honor of different gods and goddesses.
Philosophy
The love of wisdom
In Hellenism, Dealt more with the art of living. Shift from theory to therapy.
Theoretical differences were less significant than practical results.
Socrates
Taught virtue and self-control
Founder of western philosophy
Ethical issues of life
Plato
Student of Socrates
Denying the reality of the material world
Influenced by St. Augustine
Aristotle
Student of Plato
Diversity of subject matter
Philo and Josephus
Josephus- Jewish historian
Philo- Hellenistic Jewish philosopher
Apocalypticism
A vision of history as tending toward a divinely ordered goal. Often in two stages:
- a present age of oppression
- An age of triumph for the righteous/ messianic age/resurrection
Dualism
Reality consists of two opposing elements.
Pharisees
Believed in separatism, only hebrew bible, coming judgment, resurrection, existence of spiritual beings. Strict interpretation of torah, which was enabled through midrash. Standard Judaism after destruction of temple in 70ce.
Zealot
In opposition to Roman Empire. Believed in apocalypse. Simon the zealot. Sought victory over Rome and establishment of Jewish nation.
Sadducees
Upperclass, made primarily of priestly class. Did not believe in coming judgment, etc. did not agree with entire Torah.
Diaspora Judaism
Part of diaspora outside of Palestine that wasn’t forced to equate religious and political symbols. Not persecuted.
Messianic expectations
Messiah=anointed one
Apocalyptic or political
Many Jews had no messianic beliefs
Historical-critical methodology
The mother of all methodology
Focuses on origin and development of a text
Includes textual, linguistic, form, traditional, source,redaction