The somewhat questionable strategy of the Hasmoneans to forcibly convert conquered peoples to Judaism seems to have backfired. Herod the Great was an Idumean; the Samaritans were not accepted as Jews and the Galileans appear to be been regarded as country-bumpkins by the Judaeans, themselves.
I imagine it must have seemed a good idea at the time? The result was roughly akin to freeing the slaves in the US and proclaiming them "citizens." Didn't go over so big with large parts of the home team!
I imagine it must have seemed a good idea at the time? The result was roughly akin to freeing the slaves in the US and proclaiming them "citizens." Didn't go over so big with large parts of the home team!