'''The Historical Bridge Spanning the Interval of the Old Testament and the New Testament''' is a figurative way of referring to the 350 silent years between the Old and New Testaments, which was from 400 B.C. to 5 B.C. This article shows how this interval corresponds with Biblical events. ==Government== '''National ''' factors in the divine plan; ===Persian Domination=== 400-330 B.C., '''Persian''' proclamation of Cyrus and return of the Jews; ===Alexander_the_Great's Supremacy=== 330-328 B.C., '''Greek''' Conquest of Alexander; spread of the Greek language; ===Alexander's Successors=== Egyptian and Syrian rule: 323-166 B.C.; ===Jewish Independence=== Under Maccabees 166 B.C. - 63 B.C.,'''Jewish''' dispersion of Jews, spreading truths of unity of God, messianic hope and Scriptures; ===Roman Rule=== Roman establishment of worldwide stable government, uniform laws, and good roads starts the New_Testament; ==History== The History of the interval between the Old and New_Testament is often regarded as of little importance since no divinely inspired the Prophets spoke during this period . The period is sometimes called '''The Silent Centuries''. Yet knowledge of the leading events, as well as of the literature of the times, is of great value because they furnish a background for the advent and the life of Jesus. For two hundred years after the Captivity the providence of Judea remained under Persian rule. The conquest of Alexander the Great in 330 B.C. not only brought the Jews under Grecian domination, but also introduced the Greek language and ideas throughout the ancient world. After the death of Alexander, his kingdom was divided, and a struggle between the Ptolemies of Egypt and the monarchs of Syria, resulting first in Egyptian, then in Syrian, rule over Judea. The latter was a dark period in Jewish history, especially during the reign of Antiochus Epiphanes, the Syrian king, who committed many outrages against the Jews, sought to establish idolatry in Jerusalem, and defiled the temple. His wickedness led to the Maccabean revolt, 166 B.C. in which the priest Matthias and his sons defeated the Syrians in a series of battles, which secured the independence of the providence of Judea. This was the foundation of the Hasmonean dynasty, which reigned from 166 - 63 B.C. ==Events Immediately Preceding Jesus== ===Announcement=== Announcement to Zechariah of the forerunner of Jesus (Luke 1:5-17); ===Annunciation=== Annunciation to Mary of the coming Messiah (Luke 1:26-35); ===Preaching=== Preaching of John the Baptist (Matthew 3:1-6); {{unsourced}}