Lesson 10 - Seleucid Rule II

Finally, under Seleucid rule, the Jews enjoyed a few positive years and the significant growth of Jerusalem as a cultural and economic hub for several years. This would last until around 188 BC when significant political and economic downturns would cripple the Seleucid empire. Off to the west, Rome was becoming increasingly a world power, having gained control of the Italian peninsula, most of Spain, northern Africa, and other areas across the western Mediterranean. Rome was advancing their interests east and viewed the Seleucids as a threat.