1.The Political Landscape:The Persian,Hellenistic,and Roman Empires The Rise of Persia *The Persian Empire *Phillip II of Macedon *Alexander the Great Alexander 's Achievement *Alexander 's Successors (the diadochoi)*Early Rome Acquires an Empire *Late Republican Roman Politics *Augustus *The Roman Empire in Early Imperial Times*Augustus 'Successors (14-136 CE) 2.The Jews under Persians,Greeks and Romans:539 BCE-135 CE The Jews under Persian Rule *Judaea under Greek Rule (336-175 BCE)*Judaism and Hellenism in Judaea *Antiochus IV Epiphanes and Priestly Politics in Judaea *The Maccabaean Revolt (167-164 BCE)and its Aftermath *The Hasmonaeans and the Coming of the Romans *Herod 's Early Career *Palestine under Herod the Great and Archelaus (37 BCE-6 CE)*Roman Rule in Judaea (6-37 CE)*Herod Antipas *Agrippa I and II *Judaea and Galilee (44-66 CE)*The First Jewish Revolt *Palestine 70-135 CE *The Revolts of 115-117 CE *The Second Jewish Revolt 132-135 CE 3.Graeco-Roman Literature History *Biography *Letters *Poetry *Moral Treatises *The Novel 4.Early Jewish and Christian Literature Apocalypses *Testaments *Expanded and Rewritten Bible *Wisdom Literature *Hymns and Prayers *Jewish Historiography *Gospels *The Content of the Gospels in their Literary Setting 5.Graeco-Roman Religion The Religion of the Greeks and Romans *Ruler Cults *Mystery Religions and Eastern Cults *Oracles,Astrology,Magic and the Occult 6.Philosophy Epicureanism *Stoicism *The Academy *Philosophical Itinerants *Philo 7.Graeco-Roman Society The Household *Marriage *Attitudes to Women *Sexuality *Slavery *Education and Rhetoric*The Graeco-Roman Economy *Glory and Fame *Life in the Cities *Life in the Countryside *Entertainment *War *Atrocities *Government *Natural Disasters *Sickness and Death 8.Early Judaism and Christianity Descriptions of Judaea *The Elephantine Community *The Jewish Diaspora *Reactions to Judaism *The Civic Rights of the Jews *The Sabbath *The Temple *The Synagogue *Pharisees*Sadducees *Essenes *The Qumran Community *The 'Fourth Philosophy ',Bandits and Sicarii *Herodians,Hellenists and Samaritans *Early Christianity *Resurrection *Messianism *Christians under the Empire
