A Review of the Politics That Shaped the New Testament World

A Review of the Politics that Shaped the New Testament World
Femi Olajide +2348053787144 Email- femiolajide1710@yahoo.com
Table of Content………………………………………………………………………….ii
Introduction…………………………………………………………………….....1
Babylonian Rule…………………………………………………………………………..1
Persians Rule………………………………………………………………………………2
Greek Empire……………………………………………………………………………...3
Alexander the Great……………………………………………………………….4
Ptolemy……………………………………………………………………………5
Seleucidae Rule……………………………………………………………………6
Seleucidae Dynasty under Antiochus IV………………………………….7  
Persecution of Antiochus IV………………………………………………8
The Maccabees Revolt…………………………………………………………….8
Roman Empire…………………………………………………………………………….9
Some Roman Emperors………………………………………………………….13
Conclusion……………………………………………………………………….20
Works Cited……………………………………………………………………...21

Introduction
Jewish Nation is part of the larger world. Since Jewish history is waved around her contemporary international politics, what affected the then known world also affected the Jews. This paper attempts to consider some development in the ancient international politics with a view to determining and situating the Jewish state and New Testament in the then international political affairs.
Babylonian Rule
Jewish history shows after exodus from Egypt, the Jews had experienced both judges as well as kingly rule. The concept of nationality had developed, revolving around their religion which formed both social and political bound for the Jews. R.S. Burney noted land and religion became the pivot of their nationhood (18). Nevertheless, despite this strong attachment to their land, they were exiled   with the conquest of the Babylonians between   605 -529 B.C. Burney noted their view of their exile as act of God for their disobedience shaped their future history (18). The Jews lost independence to the invasion of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon in 597 B.C and both rulers and ruled were deported.   Under Mattaniah renamed Zedekiah who was made a puppet...