
American Prestige UNLOCKED - The History of the Maccabees w/ Joseph Scales
Dec 15, 2025
Joseph Scales, an independent scholar of ancient Judaism, dives deep into the intriguing history of the Maccabees and their revolt against the Seleucid Empire. He explores the clash between Hellenism and local traditions, revealing the complex political landscape of ancient Judea. Scales covers the Maccabean guerilla tactics, the establishment of Hasmonean sovereignty, and their eventual transformation from rebels to rulers. Listeners will gain insights into the rich tapestry of identity and power dynamics that shaped Hanukkah's legacy.
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Hellenism As A Flexible Cultural Blend
- Hellenism isn't a single foreign culture imposed overnight but a flexible set of Greek practices already present across the Near East.
- Joseph Scales argues cultural syncretism blurred lines between Jewish and Hellenistic identities.
Judea In The Crossfire Of Hellenistic Wars
- The Seleucids and Ptolemies fought six Syrian Wars over the Levant, making Judea a contested liminal corridor.
- Control shifted often, shaping local elites' loyalties and tensions in Jerusalem.
Antiochus IV's Political Use Of Divinity
- Antiochus IV cultivated divine imagery and centralization to legitimize rule, not merely religious fanaticism.
- His policies mixed political legitimation with displays of divinity and coercive measures.








