05/28/2023 – “In the Gymnasium” – Level X – 184 – 167 B.C.E. – Chapter Seven // Group Fellowship and Discussion
“In the Gymnasium” = Level X – 184 – 167 B.C.E. – Chapter Seven
Amazing story and God’s miracle in real life as well, in that the Maccabean Jewish Revolt,
Led by a small dedicated country priestly remnant warrior class, was indeed successful
In deposing the Seleucid Empire, and Antiochus Epiphanes. The Maccabean Revolt is
Chronicled in Macabees I & II of a catholic Old Testament bible, covering 167 – 160 B.C.E.
The Jews were able to regain control and reconstruct the Temple in Jerusalem.
The Seleucid Empire would totally collapse in 116 B.C., resulting in complete Jewish
Independence until 63 B.C. , when the Romans took over through installation of their
Puppet King Herod, an Edomite. Josephus, the renowned Jewish historian of Jesus’ time
Wrote of the Maccabean revolt in his work: “Antiquities of the Jews” – Book 13. I have that
Book within “The Works of Josephus”, Reference ISBN #: 978-1-56563-780-1.
As a sidebar on Josephus, the Introduction to my aforementioned book points out the
Following aftermath sequence:
“By the spring of A.D. 67, Josephus and the little that remained of his army had been forced
To retreat to the fortified city of Jotapata where he eventually surrendered. During his subsequent
Imprisonment, Josephus became directly acquainted with and gained the favor of Vespasian.
When Vespasian became emperor in A.D. 69 through rather extraordinary circumstances,
Josephus was officially freed. He returned to Jerusalem with Titus, Vespasian’s sons and future
Emperor, where he served the Roman commander as interpreter and mediator. Faced with the
Inevitability of the Roman forces’ ultimate victory, Josephus attempted to convince the Jews holding
Jerusalem to surrender and thus save the city. He was , however, unsuccessful and in A.D. 70, the
City fell to the Romans and was demolished . (Insert: From my memory, Josephus estimated 1 million total
Jewish deaths). After the destruction of Jerusalem, Josephus returned to Rome with Titus and settled
There as a client of the emperor on an imperial pension – gaining the rights of a Roman citizen and adopting
The emperor’s family name, Flavius – and began his literary endeavors.
Stay tuned – Josephus will make an appearance in the upcoming Level VIII – Yigal and His Three. Generals- 67
-74 C.E. – Chapter Nine.
Soli Deo Gloria!
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Again for reference, Introductory information:
The Source by Michener
Chapter – ending pg. # / Yrs. Span
-The Tell – 77
-Level XV – The Bee Eater – 113 / Artifacts: 9831 – 9811 B.C.E. – Chapter Two
-Level XIV – Of Death and Life – 165 -/Artifacts: 2204 – 2202 B.C.E… – Chapter Three
-Level XIII – An Old Man and His God – 235 -/ Artifacts: 1427 – 1419 B.C.E – Chapter Four
-Level XII – Psalm of the Hoopoe Bird – 326 / Artifacts: 966-963 B.C.E.
-Level XI – The Voice of Gomer – 369 – / Artifacts : 684- 605 B.C.E.
-Level X – In the Gymnasium – 418 / Artifacts: 184 – 167 B.C.E.
-Level IX – King of the Jews – 445 / Artifacts: 4 – 20 B.C.E.
-Level VIII – Yigal and His Three Generals – 500 / Artifacts: 67 – 74 C.E.
-Level VII – The Law – 594 /335 – 352 C.E.
-Level VI – A Day in the Life of a Desert Rider – 636 / Artifacts: 644 – 1099 C.E.
-Level V – Volkmar – 693 / Artifacts: 1124 C.E.
-Level IV – The first of Ma Coeur – 752 / Artifacts: 1271 – 1291 C.E.
-Level III – The Saintly Men of Safed – 861 / Artifacts: 1240 – 1559 C.E.
-Level II – Twilight of an Empire – 919 / Artifacts: 1004 – 1880 C.E.
-Level I – Rebbe Itzik and the Sabra – 1007 / Artifacts: 1943 – 1948 C.E.
-The Tell – 1080
Introduction post:
James Michener_ The Source_review:
The study guide _ The Source
http://www.bookrags.com/studyguide-the-source-a-novel/chapanal001.html#gsc.tab=0
The free quiz from the study guide – 25 q
http://www.bookrags.com/studyguide-the-source-a-novel/free-quiz.html#gsc.tab=0
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/129178.Best_of_James_A_Michener