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====The importance of the Greek polis====

====The importance of the Greek polis====

Although Alexander's rule was shortlived (twelve years, according to I Macc. 1:7), the policies that he set in motion had a profound effect on the world for centuries to come. A pupil of Aristotle and lover of Greek ways, Alexander hoped to use Greek language, learning, and culture to unite the empire. To this end, he founded Greek cities (''poleis'') throughout his territories. Dr. Oskar Skarsaune (''In the Shadow of the Temple'', page 31 <ref name=OSk>Oskar Skarsaune, ''In the Shadow of the Temple: Jewish Influences on Early Christianity'', InterVarsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, March 2002. 455 pages. ISBN 0-8308-2670-X ISBN 978-0-8308-2670-4.</ref>) gives the following description of a typical polis:

Although Alexander's rule was short-lived (twelve years, according to I Macc. 1:7), the policies that he set in motion had a profound effect on the world for centuries to come. A pupil of Aristotle and lover of Greek ways, Alexander hoped to use Greek language, learning, and culture to unite the empire. To this end, he founded Greek cities (''poleis'') throughout his territories. Dr. Oskar Skarsaune (''In the Shadow of the Temple'', page 31 <ref name=OSk>Oskar Skarsaune, ''In the Shadow of the Temple: Jewish Influences on Early Christianity'', InterVarsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, March 2002. 455 pages. ISBN 0-8308-2670-X ISBN 978-0-8308-2670-4.</ref>) gives the following description of a typical polis:

<blockquote>"A polis contained some obligatory institutions: a public town center and marketplace (the square agora); a hall for the city council (the bouleuterion); baths; temples to the Greek (later Roman) gods; a theater; a gymnasium (a combined higher school and sports training ground); preferably a library and a sports stadium; and if a big city, also a hippodrome."

<blockquote>"A polis contained some obligatory institutions: a public town center and marketplace (the square agora); a hall for the city council (the bouleuterion); baths; temples to the Greek (later Roman) gods; a theater; a gymnasium (a combined higher school and sports training ground); preferably a library and a sports stadium; and if a big city, also a hippodrome."

By means of the poleis, Greek culture was introduced to surrounding areas and mingled with the native cultures of those regions, creating a cultural synthesis called Hellenism. Correspondingly, the spread of Greek language and customs was known as "Hellenization" (see 2 Macc. 4:13).</blockquote>

By means of the poleis, Greek culture was introduced to surrounding areas and mingled with the native cultures of those regions, creating a cultural synthesis called Hellenism. Correspondingly, the spread of Greek language and customs was known as "Hellenization" (see 2 Macc. 4:13).</blockquote>

===Sources and Integrity===

===Sources and Integrity===

A proposal for a later date of the work must account for the vivid details it contains by supposing that the writer employed older sources, such as letters and memoranda. In Torrey's view such sources are not necessary, as the author could have supplied his lack of personal knowledge, by interviewing aging participants or eye-witnesses of the events. In either case the First Book of the Maccabees is one of the best sources known for information on this period in the history of the Jews.

A proposal for a later date of the work must account for the vivid details it contains by supposing that the writer employed older sources, such as letters and memoranda. In Torrey's view such sources are not necessary, as the author could have supplied his lack of personal knowledge, by interviewing aging participants or eyewitnesses of the events. In either case the First Book of the Maccabees is one of the best sources known for information on this period in the history of the Jews.

J. D. Michaelis insists that Josephus used the Hebrew original of the book, which differed in some important particulars from the present Greek text. Destinon ("''Die Quellen des Josephus''," 1882 <ref>J. von Destinon, ''Die Quellen des Flavius Josephus. I Die Quellen der Archäologie Buch XII-XVII  = Jüd. Krieg Buch I'', Kiel: Lipsius & Tischer 1882)</ref>) revived this theory and endeavored to prove (pages 80 and following) that chapters 14-16 were not contained in the edition used by Josephus. Destinon bases his argument on the fact that Josephus treats these chapters very sparsely in comparison with his treatment of the other material of the same book, although these chapters contain just as much material and just as interesting. Wellhausen ("I. J. G." pages 222 and following <ref>Julius Wellhausen, "''Israelitische und Jüdische Geschichte''" (4th ed., 1901) German. Severus Verlag (26. September 2013) 404 pages. ISBN 3863476395 ISBN 978-3863476397.</ref>) follows him. But Torrey (in "''Encyc. Bibl.''"), utilizing the investigations of [[Mommsen]],<ref>Christian Matthias Theodor Mommsen (30 November 1817 – 1 November 1903)</ref> demonstrates that Josephus actually knew some of this material and introduced it at a later point in his work ("''Ant''." xiv. 8, § 5), in describing the history of Hyrcanus II. From all of this, it seems highly probable that the First Book of the Maccabees has retained its original form.

J. D. Michaelis insists that Josephus used the Hebrew original of the book, which differed in some important particulars from the present Greek text. Destinon ("''Die Quellen des Josephus''," 1882 <ref>J. von Destinon, ''Die Quellen des Flavius Josephus. I Die Quellen der Archäologie Buch XII-XVII  = Jüd. Krieg Buch I'', Kiel: Lipsius & Tischer 1882)</ref>) revived this theory and endeavored to prove (pages 80 and following) that chapters 14-16 were not contained in the edition used by Josephus. Destinon bases his argument on the fact that Josephus treats these chapters very sparsely in comparison with his treatment of the other material of the same book, although these chapters contain just as much material and just as interesting. Wellhausen ("I. J. G." pages 222 and following <ref>Julius Wellhausen, "''Israelitische und Jüdische Geschichte''" (4th ed., 1901) German. Severus Verlag (26. September 2013) 404 pages. ISBN 3863476395 ISBN 978-3863476397.</ref>) follows him. But Torrey (in "''Encyc. Bibl.''"), utilizing the investigations of [[Mommsen]],<ref>Christian Matthias Theodor Mommsen (30 November 1817 – 1 November 1903)</ref> demonstrates that Josephus actually knew some of this material and introduced it at a later point in his work ("''Ant''." xiv. 8, § 5), in describing the history of Hyrcanus II. From all of this, it seems highly probable that the First Book of the Maccabees has retained its original form.