Guide
Ancient Rabbinic Constructions of the Past
2nd–6th Centuries
By Carol Bakhos
Related Primary Sources
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Alexander the Great Coin
During Alexander’s reign, official coins bearing his name and image were struck throughout the empire. The front of this silver coin depicts Alexander as Herakles, and the back depicts a seated Zeus…
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Alexander the Great and Simeon the Just
The hare: this refers to Greece; because it chews [lit., raises up] its cud (Leviticus 11:6): for it raises up righteous individuals. Alexander the Macedonian, when he saw Simeon the Just, rose up on…
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Alexander Bows to the High Priest
On the twenty-fifth day of [the month of Tevet], [known as] the day of Mount Gerizim [on which it is forbidden to eulogize], on that day the Samaritans asked Alexander the Macedonian [for permission]…
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Alexander the Great Sarcophagus
This sarcophagus was discovered in the late nineteenth century during excavations in Lebanon close to the Phoenician city of Sidon. It depicts Alexander and his soldiers in combat. The sarcophagus was…
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Alexander Tries to Enter the Jerusalem Temple
[Alexander the Macedonian] desired to go up to Jerusalem. The Samaritans said to him, “Beware, for they will not let you enter their holy of holies.” When Geviah the son of Kosem discovered this, he…
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Ten Questions of Alexander to the Sages of the South
Alexander the Macedonian asked ten questions of the sages of the south. He said to them, “Which is greater, the distance between heaven and earth or between east and west?” [The sages from the south]…