Ancient Israel

Ancient Israel (~1200 BC to 70 AD) was a civilization in the Middle East with territory extending from the Jordan River valley through the Judean Hills to the Mediterranean, and north to the Sea of Galilee area.

The religion evolved from an ancient Canaanite polytheism to something closely resembling modern Judaism.

It was usually organized as a kingdom. At one point split into separate kingdoms, Israel and Judah.

It was conquered by the Babylonians but then later allowed some autonomy under the Persians (Darius I). The Hellenistic period started under Alexander the Great and the area was contested between the Seleucids and the Ptolemies.

A Roman client state under the Hasmoneans survived for a time before it was subsumed into the Roman Empire.

A revolt in 70 AD and a second smaller revolt (Bar Kochba) around 132 AD resulted in the political end of ancient Israel. Some of the populace remained in Israel, while others were killed, enslaved, or sent into exile.