The Hellenistic period began with the conquest of the country by Alexander the Great in 332 BCE. Immediately after Alexander’s death wars began among his successors. Between 300 and 200 BCE the country was ruled by the Ptolomaic dynasty of Egypt, and in the second century BCE control passed to the Seleucid dynasty of Syria.

Religious persecution of the Jews led to the Hasmonean (Maccabean) revolt in 167 BCE, following which the Hasmonean kingdom was gradually established. The success of the Hasmonean rebellion is commemorated to this day by the festival of Hanukkah. When the land was conquered by the Romans in 63 BCE, the Hasmonean kingdom came under the aegis of Rome.