"Alexander, Is That You?" Topic

A remarkable mosaic unearthed during the excavation of an ancient synagogue in northern Israel may portray Alexander the Great…

link

It could really be any one of a number of Seleukid monarchs from Antiochus III onwards, as they all had dealings with the Jewish authorities.

It could really be any one of a number of Seleukid monarchs from Antiochus III onwards, as they all had dealings with the Jewish authorities.

If you have read the Apocrypha it is doubtful if any Jewish authority figure would have wanted to be associated with one!
Alexandros was a legendary figure by the time this was done.
I wonder if this could have been a Hellenised representation of someone like Judas Maccabeus?

On the contrary I Maccabees makes it clear that there were Jews prepared to collaborate, see Leiden I Maccabees / Codex Per F 17, folio 9v – Mattathias kills the apostate who is sacrificing a pig. The Maccabees were opposed to the priesthood which they then replaced.

Druzhina
11th Century Illustrations of Costume & Soldiers

Druzhina, thanks for the link, however, it is all about Mattathias refusing the Selukid kings commands to break the Jewish customs!
I do not doubt there were factions that supported the Hellenic king, but would they have celebrated the fact on such a monument?

Who, after all, remembers the Sadducees!

Just my thoughts, I am no expert!!!

I Maccabees has Jonathan being courted by Demetrius and Alexander Balas.
"They favored Alexander [Balas], because he had been the first to speak peaceable words to them, and they remained his allies all his days."
and soon after
"The king gave orders to take off Jonathan's garments and to clothe him in purple, and they did so. The king also seated him at his side; and he said to his officers, "Go forth with him into the middle of the city and proclaim that no one is to bring charges against him about any matter, and let no one annoy him for any reason."
And when his accusers saw the honor that was paid him, in accordance with the proclamation, and saw him clothed in purple, they all fled. Thus the king honored him and enrolled him among his chief friends, and made him general and governor of the province. And Jonathan returned to Jerusalem in peace and gladness." link

National Geographic have a zoomable version of the mosaic with optional highlights and interpretations. Slightly spoiled by interpreting the central figure's cuirass as Roman (though describing the soldiers as wearing Greek armour – looks more late Roman).

The story of Alexander VII and Hyrcanus as in Josephus does fit the central section link but doesn't explain as well the carnage at the base.

Don't know about the Nat Geog interpretations, but the general on the right appears to be presenting a bull, which fits with the truce between John Hyrcanus and Antiochus VII:

"And besides that, [Ant] sent in a magnificent sacrifice, bulls with their horns gilded…etc"

(Dunno whether elephants would be considered kosher…)

Interesting, but as noted subject to interpretation.

Seems later to me… the Jews have their swords out, so it doesn't look like a friendly session.

I'd say it looks more symbolic of the Maccabean revolt…. but more may be revealed as they say… still the Jewish outfits with their H's are interesting evidence of some sort.