Seleucid Kingdom
Founded by one of Alexander the Great's generals, Seleucus I Nicator, when Alexander died in 323 B.C. Judea initially fell within its territory but was annexed by Ptolemy of Egypt in 320 B.C.
When Ptolemy V suddenly died, Antiochus III of the Seleucid kingdom seized Judea while maintaining the tolerance towards Jews and the firm political control of their previous Egyptian rulers. As time progressed, the Seleucid kings, particularly Antiochus IV, intensified efforts to Hellenize Judea and incorporate Greek traditions into orthodox Judaism. This led to tension, culminating in a revolt led by the Hasmonean family. The Hasmonean resistance was so potent that Lysias, representing the Seleucid kingdom, was compelled to guarantee Jewish liberties, effectively stalling Hellenization in Judea.
The Seleucid rule was marked by constant instability, particularly in managing relations with the Jewish populations in its territories.
By 142, Judea gained independence from Seleucid control.
(The Origin of the Bible: Newly Updated by F. F. Bruce, J. I. Packer, Philip W. Comfort, and Carl F. H. Henry, 2020. Old Testament and New Testament Apocrypha by R. K. Harrison, Page 80-81.)