name of Ptolemais, Tyre, Sidon, Damascus, Bethshean under its new name Scythopolis, Rabbath-ammon under the name of Philadelphia, and most of the important east-Jordan cities were soon transformed into active centres of Hellenic culture.  Civic pride and patriotism took possession of their inhabitants.  Most of the cities had a senate and magistrates elected each year by popular vote.  Many of them were adorned by magnificent public buildings, including a forum, theatre, stadium, hippodrome, and gymnasium.  Civic patriotism took the place of the old despotism and selfish individualism.  Each Hellenic city gave to its citizens new ideals and opportunities.  The discussions of the forum, the agora, and the gymnasium inspired them with political, social, and intellectual interests.  The plays in the theatres, the races in the hippodrome and stadium amazed and fascinated them.  Many of the youths were enlisted in the clubs that were formed in connection with the gymnasium, and all classes participated in the public festivities.

IV.  Contrast Between Hellenism and Judaism.  In the broad perspective of history it is clear that both Hellenism and Judaism were essential to the upbuilding and broadening of the human character and ideals.  Hellenism in its nobler form brought what Judaism lacked, and Judaism was fitted to correct the evils and fatal weaknesses of Hellenism.  Ben Sira vaguely recognized this, and sought to reconcile these two types of civilization; but in the second century B.C. men were chiefly aware of the glaring contrasts.  Compared with the splendor of the life in the Greek cities that of the orthodox Jews seemed crude and barbarous.  The intense horror with which the Jews viewed every form of idolatry led them to reject all forms of art.  Their hatred of sensuality and immorality led them to regard with aversion the sports and exercises of the gymnasium and the attendant licentiousness.  The practical teachers of Israel looked with suspicion upon the subtleties of the different Greek philosophical schools.  On the other hand, the homely, domestic joys of the average Jew and his intense devotion to the service of the temple and to the faith of his fathers seemed contemptible to those familiar with the brilliant, voluptuous life of the Hellenic cities.  Hellenism protested against the narrowness, barrenness, and intolerance of Judaism; Judaism protested against the godlessness and immorality of Hellenism.  Both were right in their protests, and yet each in a sense needed the other.

V. Apostasy of the Jews and the Perfidy of the High Priests.  At the beginning of the second century B.C. the Judean state was closely encircled by a ring of Hellenic cities and subjected on every side to the seductions of that debased Greek culture which had taken firm root in the soil of Palestine.  As was almost inevitable, many of the Jewish youth yielded to its attractions.  Distaste for the narrowness and austere customs of their fathers begat in their