Anti-Semitism Timeline

BY CENTURY

B.C.	1st	2d	3d	4th	5th	6th	7th	8th	9th	10th
11th	12th	13th	14th	15th	16th	17th	18th	19th	20th	21th

Anti-Semitism: B.C.

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2nd Millenium B.C. Jews, or "Habiru" [Hebrews] mentioned in Egyptian and cuneiform records.

18th Century B.C. Cuneiform tablets at the time of Hammurabi of Babylon denote the "Bene-Yamin" [Benjamin] or Children of the Right Hand [First secular mention of the Jews} Noted as an "aggressive people threatening urban centers"¹ Concurrent with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob

1500 B.C. Moses [Moshe] arises to free the nation of Israel from her captors Egypt who have held those in Goshen in slavery and oppression. The Desert wanderings begin.

@1500 b.c. Adoption of a "Melech," or King by Anointing to increase military protection against the Philistines. "Mashiach Yahweh" or the Holy One of Yahweh, later, the Anointed King, the Holy One of Israel, the Messiah, deliverer.

1000 B.C. Under Saul and David, the 'second consolidation' of of the Kingdom under a King.

@900 b.c. The Division of the Northern and Southern Kingdoms: Judah and Benjamin stay south near Jerusalem under Rehoboam and the ten other tribes under Jeroboam move North, creating a false capital in Samaria. Northern Tribes called "Israel" ; southern tribes called "Judah". Until the captivity, there is division, with an occasional alliance and embattlements from foreign armies such as Syria, Assyria, Babylon, Egypt and Edom on all sides.

721 B.C. Samaria taken by Sargon II of Assyria. Northern Kingdom defeated and taken Captive.

587 B.C. Nebuchanezzar of Babylon takes Jerusalem and destroys the Temple. A remnant of Jews take refuge in Egypt, a few poor Jews left in farming outside of Jerusalem. Captives taken to Babylon in what is now Iraq.

THE FIRST FALL OF JERUSALEM AND THE FIRST TEMPLE. Part I Diaspora.

538 b.c. Babylon (with Jews in captivity) conquered by Persian Empire. Persians denoted as Liberators for Jews, more tolerant than Babylonians. Jews in Egypt fight in Persian army when Egypt falls to Persia. There is evidence of a 5th century Jewish Community in Elephantine, or what is known as Aswan. A Temple to 'Yahweh' is found there.

Persia allows the Jews in Babylon to return: under Cyrus and Darius.

THE RETURN FROM EXILE: THE SECOND TEMPLE BUILT

500 b.C. Egyptian Jews: Aramaic documents at the time of the Temple construction at Aswan.

FIRST DOCUMENTED COMPLAINT OF ANTI-SEMITIC POGROM:

Jews complain to Persians that Egyptians attack the Temple. Josephus takes note of the instance later. Anti-semitism was noted and given a foundation in Egypt: historical seeds of blood libel. Anti-semitic incidents noted later in Macedonian captivity.

334 B.C. to 323 B.C. Alexander the Great conquers Asia: Jews already in Asia, and speak Aramaic, Hebrew becomes focused on worship only. Jews in Alexandria noted at the time. Asia and Alexandria are "hellenized".

270 B.C. Alexandrian Jews adopt Greek as first language: hellenization of certain scriptures. Around this time it is reported but never proved that the Old Testament was written in Greek, deemed the "Septuagint", but the account is mythical and fantastical. Later, Origen's 5th column of the Hexepla, in Greek is denoted as the older Septuagint, but is never proven. All evidence bears on an unsigned small piece of parchment, and a character reported over hundreds of years as in existence. A step in the 'dejudaizing' of the Jews, a landmark in the history of 'assimilation' of the Jews.

400 b.C.-1 A.D. "Inter-testamental Period": Jews enjoy some liberty with trouble; a return to dietary laws and orthodox practice, e.g. Shabbat: Greeks and other gentiles convert to Judaism. Beginning of the pharisees who initially call for a return to true worship and separation.

Ptolemy Dynasty of Egypt takes over Palestine as Alexander's Macedonian reign breaks down.

200B.C. Antiochus III, Seleucid Dynasty defeats Ptolemy Dynasty of Egypt for rule of Palestine.

168 B.C. Antiochus Epiphanes IV tries 'forced assimilation of the Jews'² by forcing Greek worship. Judas Maccabee and brothers lead a rebellion [Hasmonaeans]. A Jewish state is formed again; including bordering region of Idumeans. Hasmoneans take on the priesthood instead of levites. and division with purist leads to Roman conquest.

63 B.C. Pompey, takes Jerusalem. [adversary of Caesar]Many Jews enslaved, carried captive to Rome. Some freed there.

40 B.C.Hyrcanus II, a Hasmonean appointed by Pompey loses much of the kingdom to Herod in Judaea, Rome helps. The Herodians are hated by the Jews. Roman controlled. Judea romanized: e.g. Ceasarea, Tiberias etc.

Anti-Semitism: 1st Century A.D.

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2 A.D. The Slaughter of the Innocents: every Jewish Male under 2 years old is slaughtered under the reign of Herod the Great: his fear was a prophesied King which would depose him and Rome.

4 A.D. Herod dies. 4-10 A.D. A Prefect is appointed by Rome. (Pontius Pilate will be of this appointment).

1 A.D.-33 A.D. Life of Christ. During this time Anti-Semitism at a great high. Those who will not serve Rome are given death sentence. Roads to Jerusalem lined with crucified Jewish males. 70 Zealots who protest the placing of the Roman Eagle insigna on the Temple are burned alive.

33 A.D. CHRIST CRUCIFIED. Pontius Pilate mocks Christ and the Jews in His crucifixion. Pilate denoted as a vile anti-semite, unwillingly placed at the desert outpost of Jerusalem because of friendship/alliance with Sejanus, killed after an attempt on Caesar's life.

37-44 A.D. Agrippa I rules Judaea.

66 B.C. NeroFollowing the devastating cruelty of Caligula, Nero takes the throne and Jews form a rebellion in Jerusalem without the strong support of the 'priest class'. The Jewish guerillas hold Jerusalem and region, but Rome regains control. During the reign of Caligula [Gaius] in Alexandria, Egyptians desecrated synagogues and put of statues of the cruel, psychotic emperor.

63-73 B.C. Vespasian puts down the uprising in Galilee and later becomes emperor. "Titus refuses to accept a wreath of victory, as there is "no merit in vanquishing people forsaken by their own God". (Philostratus, Vita Apollonii). "Rebellion led by Bar Matthiah.^1,6

1st Century: Apion writes Anti-semitic treatise containing the first blood libel; Josephus responds with "Against Apion".

1st century Juvenal writes Anti-Semitic poetry. States ""They have a particular cult and particular laws; they despise the Roman laws."⁷

70 A.D. The fall of Masada, a Jewish stronghold in the summer mountain top retreat of the Herods: all but two commit mass suicide: Rome again takes Jerusalem. This year saw famines, slaughter and cannibalism. Rome collects the Temple shekel used for the Temple to build the Temple to Jupiter in Rome. Precedent for taxation on the Jews for Gentiles later in history.

FALL OF JERUSALEM: TEMPLE BURNED

Anti-Semitism: 2nd Century A.D.

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115 A.D. "The Virgin Mary Cult" of Iraneus, Bishop of Lyon is begun, deifying Mary and making her a 'co-redemtrix' with Christ. Many Christians count it heresy, and the Jews view it as Ashtoreth worship, an abomination. 115-116 A.D. Egypt, Cyrene, Cyprus experience anti-semitic acts by Greeks in riots put down by Romans.

117-132 B.C. Hadrian bars Jews from Worship and defeats uprising led by Bar Kokhba. Jews left without a national homeland.

132-35 A.D.Later, Hadrian builds temple: Aelia Capitolina to Jupiter in Jerusalem. Circumcision forbidden Rabbi Akiba declares bar Kokhba Messiah: he leads a rebellion. Hundreds of documents including a list regarding the location of Temple items hidden in various locations is included.⁷

2nd Century Melito of Sardis writes "On the Passion" declares Jews guilty of the death of Christ [deicide] and for the first time, asks Rome to consider Jews and Christians separately in persecutions. A careful reading of the Peri Pascha though, implores Israel of the love of their God for them, but the document marks the beginning of the blame of the Jews.

Anti-Semitism: 3rd Century A.D.

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200 a.d. Philostratus:Greek Philosopher, Alexandria, declares the Jews enemies of Rome and humanity.

200 A.D. Mishnah compiled: Furthered rabbinical detailing of ordinances and rules regarding Temple worship and the Law.

250 A.D.Famine and Plague in Roman Empire

253 A.D. Emperor Valeren

268 A.D. Emperor Claudius II

Anti-Semitism: 4th Century A.D.

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306 B.C. Council of Elvira bans marriage between Jews and Christians

313 A.D.Constantine takes over the Roman Empire, declares the Jews unclean and 'pernicious'; opens religious tolerance and assimilation to Christians, but bans the Jews in the Edict of Milan.

325 A.D. 1st Council of Nicea: Easter separated from Passover: Jews noted as 'detestable' and 'blinded'. Easter comes from "Ishtar' though, and while celebration is of the Passion of Christ, the Passover is the Biblical feast.

361-363 A.D. Emperor Julian the Apostate: Allows Jews to return to Jerusalem; promotes tolerance of all faiths.

386 Chrysostom of Antioch writes 8 homilies, entitled: " Adversus Judaeos" ( Against the Judaizers).

388 Callinicum Synagogue burnt down by angry Catholic mob. Ambrose implores the Emperor not to cause the mob to have to compensate the rebuilding of the synagogue, citing religious precedence over civil law.V

399 A.D. Emperor Flavius Augustus Honorius calls Judaism superstitio indignaconfiscates gold and silver collected by the synagogues.⁷

Anti-Semitism: 5th Century A.D.

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Anti-Semitism: 6th Century A.D.

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Anti-Semitism: 7th Century A.D.

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Anti-Semitism: 8th Century A.D.

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Anti-Semitism: 9th Century A.D.

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Anti-Semitism: 10th Century A.D.

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Anti-Semitism: 11th Century A.D.

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Anti-Semitism: 12th Century A.D.

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Anti-Semitism: 13th Century A.D.

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Anti-Semitism: 14th Century A.D.

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Anti-Semitism: 15th Century A.D.

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Anti-Semitism: 16th Century A.D.

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Anti-Semitism: 17th Century A.D.

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Anti-Semitism: 18th Century A.D.

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Anti-Semitism: 19th Century A.D.

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Anti-Semitism: 20th Century A.D.

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Anti-Semitism: Today

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CREDITS

¹Morais, Vamberto. A Short History of Anti-Semitism W.W. Norton & Company; NY; 1976.
²Ibid. A Short History of Anti-Semitism: Chapter 1: In the Beginning. W.W. Norton & Company; NY; 1976.
³The Holy Bible, King James Version.
⁴Herklotts. How Our Bible Came to Us
⁵Josephus. The Wars of the Jews
⁶Anti-Semitism: The Free Dictionary: Timeline:http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/History%20of%20anti-Semitism ⁷Documentary on the caves of Bar Kokhba: NOVA; PBS November 23,2004 KNPB. ⁸Lazare, Bernard. Anti-Judaism in Antiquity: http://www.nalanda.nitc.ac.in/resources/english/etext-project/history/antisemitic/chapter4.html