a brief history describing the Second Temple Period, beginning with the period of Alexander the Great and continuing through the reign of Herods sons. Where appropriate, be sure to address how various events, individuals, and groups impacted the Jews and land of Israel leading up to and during the time of Christ. In addition, pick one significant event, person, group, or ideology (e.g., the Hasmoneans, Maccabees, Pharisees, Antiochus Epiphanes, Mystery Religions, Philosophy, etc.) and highlight in more detail how this particular event, person, group, or ideology affected the first century world of the New Testament