At the beginning of the 2nd century BCE, two major powers vied for the Mediterranean. In the west, the Romans had recently ...

Archaeologists uncover an ancient Egyptian fortress in Sinai with 500 trees, deep moats, paved roads, and housing—dating back over 2,000 years to the Ptolemaic period.

Generations later, Antiochus IV Epiphanes rules the Seleucid Empire 175-164 BC. To consolidate his power, he institutes a program of religious assimilation which forbids Jews from practicing the Law.