Abstract
The archaeological excavations of the Hasmonean palaces in Jericho and the numismatic evidence on the Hasmoneans are examined in order to understand the Hasmonean rulers’ approach to Hellenistic culture. They enable us to see not only the extent of Hellenistic influence, but also how and why Hellenistic markers were used. Hellenistic art, swimming pools, bathhouses, and symbols on the coins that represent victory, success, government and power, shaped Hasmonean cultural and political identity. At the same time, however, their scope, meaning, and use were limited by the observance of ritual purity and the maintenance of local ethnic identity. Certain Greek symbols were altered to reflect Jewish religious messages. Thus, the Hasmoneans’ adoption of Hellenistic culture, while balanced, mainly served political ends.
Highlights
In modern scholarship, Hellenism denotes “Greek ways”
It is intriguing to see to what extent the Hasmonean rulers who struggled with the Seleucids in the military and political spheres approached Hellenistic culture3
The question is to what extent they were influenced by Hellenism, and what aspects of Hellenism in particular, and how the Hellenistic markers were used: what motivated the Hasmoneans to employ them and were there any cultural or religious constraints that limited the effect of Hellenism?
Summary
Hellenism denotes “Greek ways”. Hellenization is the adoption of Greek culture (including language and religion) by non-Greeks.
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