Profiles the Seleucid king that ruled Palestine in the 2nd century BC and was responsible for forcing Hellenism on the Jews of Palestine.

Studies the group of Jews that decided to stay in Babylon after the Babylonian Exile of the 6th century BC, and not return to the homeland.

Essay by Lester Grabbe explains the Hellenization of Jewish culture in Palestine and among Jewish travellers during the Ptolemaic period.

Provides the history of the 8-day Jewish tradition which honors the rededication of the Temple after the Maccabean revolt.

Chronicles the reign of the short-lived Hasmonean dynasty which brought a brief era of freedom for 2nd century Jews living in Palestine.

Read an excerpt from Flavius Josephus' "Antiquities" which describes the controversial Hasmonean Palace which overlooked the Temple.

Profiles the post-Maccabean dynasty that ruled over an autonomous Palestine for roughly 100 years during the 2nd century BC.

Describes the Jewish revolt led by Judas Maccabeas against Hellenistic culture and the short-lived era of Jewish independence.

Features a historical analysis of Jerusalem during the Persian and Hellenistic era of the Second Temple period.

Describes the split in the Judaic religion into three groups, the Sadducees, the Pharisees, and the Essenes, after the Maccabean revolt.

Chronicles the fall of Babylon, the Israelite's return to the homeland, and the period of Persian rule.

Scholarly essay by Lester Grabbe makes a contribution to the study of the Samaritan community during the Second Temple period in Palestine.

Describes the return to the land of Israel after Babylonian exile, the building of the 2nd temple, and the Persian, Greek, and early Roman eras.

Essay by Lambert Dolphin describes the return from Babylonian exile, the building of the 2nd Temple, and the Hasmonean revolt and monarchy.