Final answer:
While Alexander the Great did not force Israel to adopt any specific policies during his conquest, his successors, including the Ptolemies and Seleucids, brought about cultural and religious changes through Hellenization, which influenced the region including Israel.
Step-by-step explanation:
Alexander the Great did not directly conquer Israel. However, after his conquest of the Persian Empire, Alexander's successors, the Ptolemaic and Seleucid dynasties, influenced the region. These dynasties are known for fusing Greek culture, legal systems, and governance with local traditions, a process known as Hellenization.
Hellenization in the Middle East:
Following Alexander the Great's conquests, Greek culture spread extensively through the Hellenistic kingdoms. Greek became a dominant language, and the culture became Hellenized. The Seleucids, one of the dynasties that succeeded Alexander, ruled over Syria and by extension the region that includes modern-day Israel. During this era, local temples were often converted to honor Greek gods, combining them with local deities to integrate the subjects into the Hellenistic culture. For example, the temple of Hadad became the Temple of Zeus-Hadad, blending local religious practices with those of the Greek pantheon.
The Hellenistic Era's Impact:
The key focus here is understanding how the Hellenistic rulers, who viewed themselves as the heirs of Alexander, managed their vast territories. Greeks often occupied positions of political power and implemented Greek laws and amenities. However, this generated stratification and occasionally resistance among the non-Greek populations, leading to uprisings and rebellions in regions like Egypt and Mesopotamia.