Greeks, Romans, and Jews

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   Israel was under Perian control, then following Alexander the Great under Greek control, and at the time of Jesus under the control of Rome.  We need to stop thinking of the Jews as untied people, because they were not.  They were more like clans that fought each other for power and control, with rulers who sold out for their own positions of power.  Jesus played a part in this conflict for power, and hopefully others are interested in the political game he was involved with.  
The Greeks were interested in Hellenizing the world, and when they contolled the region, some Jews were Hellenized, and Greeks apointed them as high priest, breaking the inherited line of high priest.  This pittied Jew against Jew and the Maccabees fought to rid the region of Greek control and won, but didn't hold power long, as the Romans stepped in and made Herod the king of Jews.  If Herod was a Jew or not is questionable.  Like Eisenhower and Bush, he became a religious person when he realized an opportunity for power.  
 
Obviously Jesus was from a group of Jews who did not think Herod the Great was great.  If you want to check out the politics here is a link that begins with the Maccabees and you get to Herod from here.  I would like to know what you think.  
 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maccabees