Hellenistic Jerusalem

     During the Persian period, we saw the High Priest rise in leadership. The Hellenistic period begins when Alexander the Great defeats the Persian King in 333. During this time we see the first mention of Palestine, which Greek translation of Hebrew "Philistine" and applied to the territory around Israel and Judah. After Alexander dies, his kingdom is divided, with Ptolemies capturing Jerusalem first, giving Jerusalem autonomy, but then the Jerusalem is annexed by the Seleucids, who advocate for the people and city to become Hellenized. They try to Hellenize the Jews, and make them speak Greek, and at the same time try to turn Jerusalem into a Polis, or city, of Greek life. 
     From this time we see every aspect of Jewish life affected by Hellenization. Their tombs are look very similar to the Greek. We also see gymnasiums and theaters sprouting up during this time. In addition we also see it affect the household, where people would eat there was found a mosaic of Greek mythology. Greek becomes the most spoken language of Jews and we see the Septuagint (Hebrew Bible translated to Greek). Some Jews resisted and Antiochus IV, in 167BCE, outlaws Jewish practice and he sacrifices a pig on the temple, and converts the temple to a Temple to Zeus, leading eventually to a Jewish revolt.