This volume provides a reconstruction of the history of Judea and its neighboring regions from 334 BCE, when Alexander's eastward conquests brought Judea into the Greek empire, through 135 CE, when Hadrian re-founded Jerusalem as Aelia Capitolina and banished Jews from the city limits -- a formative period both for early Judaism and the Christian movement. This history unfolds against a backdrop of international politics that constrained developments within Judea, including wars between the Seleucid and Ptolemaic empires for control of Palestine, internal wars that led to the decline of the Seleucid empire, and the eastward expansion and consolidation of Roman rule. Judea under Greek and Roman Rule focuses on the Hellenizing Reform that precipitated the Maccabean Revolt, the establishment of an independent kingdom under the Hasmonean Dynasty, the rule of Herod and transition to Roman rule, the circumstances that precipitated two devastating revolts against Roman domination, and constructive responses (both literary and practical) within Judaism to both revolts and the consequences. "This is the latest in Oxford's 'Essentials of Biblical Studies' series and aims to provide a succinct reconstruction of the history of Judea from 334 BC to AD 135. DeS. aims to look at 'the larger story of the activities and interests on the Seleucid, Ptolemaic, Roman and Parthian empires' which is a tall order for such a short book, and he is to be congratulated on fitting this quart of history into such an accessible pint pot." -- John Godwin, Classics for All "DeSilva has produced a most welcome volume that would serve its intended audiences of general readers and students of biblical and ancient history very well." -- Bryn Mawr Classical Review "DeSilva has produced a most welcome volume that would serve its intended audiences of general readers and students of biblical and ancient history very well." -- Gary Gilbert, Bryn Mawr Classical Review David deSilva (Ph.D., Emory University) is Trustees' Distinguished Professor of New Testament and Greek at Ashland Theological Seminary. He is the author of The Jewish Teachers of Jesus, James, and Jude (OUP, 2012), among many other books and publications.