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Five historical events you should know.(Part 3)
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Today, I will conclude the series with the final two events worth knowing.
2. Assassination of Julius Caesar:
Perhaps the most well known event in this series, the assassination of Julius Caesar is important for reasons beyond what most readers may expect. For centuries, Rome was a republic. They ruled through their senate in a system that is similar to our own in more ways than one.
In the 1st century BC, the Roman senate recognized that Julius Caesar, a successful general of the Roman military, had grown two powerful. In their attempt to subdue him, they tried to pass a number of bills that would have forced him into exile as an enemy of the state. Caesar, with his vast legions, retaliated by crossing the Rubicon and taking control of Rome. He ruled over the Republic as a dictator, until he was infamously killed in an attempt by the senate to restore the Republic.
The plan backfired, and Rome erupted in a civil war that eventually led to the permanent overthrow of the old republican system, and the emergence of Emperor Augustus, Caesar’s nephew and adopted heir. Augustus became, arguably, Rome’s most successful ruler. He conquered many nations throughout the world, and transformed the Roman Empire in countless ways. His reign brought forth many political and technological advances. But it also created a new ideal that shaped, and still shapes, Western thought and way of life.
Had the Republic persisted, we would be living in a profoundly different world. The success of the Empire instilled a sense of might-makes-right morality that will dominate Western conduct for the next two thousand years. It relegated Greek ideals of open sexuality and love of knowledge as effeminate and undesired. It exalted the role of war and violence. Philosophy became the pursuit of the weak. Sex was no longer about sharing and respect, but dominance.
One needs to look no further than the conservative American view of Europe. America, with its strong military and tough diplomacy, is heroic and manly. Europe is seen as cowardly, immoral, and effeminate. It is worth mentioning that Europe’s break from Roman ideals is very recent. The new Europe is the product of the devastation of WWII. America, while slowly progressing, still holds firm to that line of thought.
1. The reign of Antiochus Epiphanes:
Two factors influenced my decision to top the list with this event. First, it may be the least known and understood event on the list. Second, had Antiochus not existed, one cannot begin to imagine what our world would look like today.
Antiochus the Great ruled for more than three decades before his son, Epiphanes succeeded him. Antiochus the Great ruled over the various lands under Greek control, including Judea, the land of the Jews. During his reign, Antiochus was somewhat popular in the area. Hellenistic way of life was to the ancient world what Western ideals are to the modern. Adopting Greek mannerisms was seen as enlightened and desired. Judea, under Antiochus the Great borrowed more and more from Greek culture. Adherence to Judaic customs and practices were at an all time low. Statues of Greek gods and deities lined the streets and adorned the town squares. Jews became less inclined to study the Torah and preferred poetry and philosophy. Had Antiochus the Great ruled for another hundred years, Judaism, and its two children, might have disappeared. But whether by chance or divine intervention, one Antiochus died and another became king.
Antiochus Epiphanes was not the popular ruler his father was. During one of his wars on Egypt, a riot erupted in Judea. Epiphanes, in a moment of rage, marched his armies onto Jerusalem and confronted the Jews. The city was largely destroyed and many were killed.
Epiphanes, weary of the Jews and attempting to strengthen his empire, banned Jewish practices and declared Zeus the supreme god of Judea. Unsurprisingly, his policies caused a major backlash in the region. Jews rebelled against all things Greek, and returned to Judaism. In a way, Antiochus Epiphanes can be counted as the savior of the Abrahamic religions.
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