Maccabees and Messiahs.

**EXISTENTIALIST *MEETUP*** \- Melbourne\, Australia\. **History of Religion** \- Our monthly online series\. The presentations are followed by questions, comments and discussion. All viewpoints welcome. **Early Religion: An Alternative History.** What do the historians and archaeologists think of the veracity of religious legends? Legends are an amalgamation of history and mythology. But how much of each? ***"MACCABEES AND MESSIAHS"*** The Maccabean revolt in 167 BC, and its subsequent Hasmonean Dynasty, eventually wrested independence for Judea from the Seleucid Empire. The Maccabees had gained almost everything land-wise that the Judean Messiah was meant to achieve. Nevertheless, the Maccabees weren't treated as Messiahs, and they didn't claim to be. However, this led to the Judean concept of the Messiah expanding from parochial to international. The eventual revolts by the Judeans against their Hasmonean Kings, and the consequent civil-wars between the Sadducees and Pharisees, caused both sides to appeal for support from the nearby conqueror of the Armenian Empire, the Roman General Pompey. The Judeans gained Empire-wide notoriety because, despite the Roman conquest of Jerusalem, the Romans had failed to quell the internecine killings amongst the Judeans. However, for the Empire's slaves and lower-orders there was only one god who had promised to destroy their hated Evil Empire: the Judean God. But getting into an alliance with that God entailed converting to Judaism; which they didn't want to do (because of circumcision, etc). Luckily, Saint Paul offered them Jesus the Christ as the Judean Messiah. They leapt at the chance in their thousands. Christianity became political dynamite! **David Miller** will present the topic and lead the discussion. Background information for those interested: Wikipedia's entry on the **[Maccabean Revolt](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maccabean_Revolt)** The Zoom Link will appear for those who RSVP. Meeting ID: 835 6105 6590 - - Passcode: 078652 Existentialist Society's **[Website](http://www.existentialistmelbourne.org/) \- \- \- [Youtube](https://www.youtube.com/@existentialistsociety8453) \- \- \- [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100072043717978)**