World History & The Holy Bible (Legs of Iron)
4. Legs of Iron: In 168 B.C., it was the Roman Empire’s turn.
Daniel 2:40, And the fourth kingdom [Rome] shall be strong as iron, since iron breaks to pieces and subdues all things; and like iron which crushes, it shall break and crush all these.
In 168 B.C., it was the Roman Empire’s turn to enact its supreme rule upon the region. Prophetically speaking, iron perfectly symbolizes this kingdom: its military strength and discipline, its domination over many conquered nations, its laws imposed on all people far and wide. Every aspect of this nation was like the strength and endurance of iron. This kingdom reigned until A.D.476. In fact the fall of this kingdom is VERY important to Bible Prophecy. It sets up what we see today in fact.
Considered one of the most successful imperial powers in history. In the course of centuries Rome grew from central Italy into a vast empire that ultimately embraced England, all of continental Europe, most of Asia west of the Euphrates, northern Africa, and the islands of the Mediterranean. Unlike the Greeks, who excelled in intellectual and artistic endeavours, the Romans achieved greatness in their military, political, and social institutions. Roman society, during the republic, was governed by a strong military ethos. While this helps to explain the incessant warfare, it does not account for Rome’s success as an imperial power. Unlike Greek city-states, which excluded foreigners and subjected peoples from political participation, Rome from its beginning incorporated conquered peoples into its social and political system. Allies and subjects who adopted Roman ways were eventually granted Roman citizenship. During the principate, the seats in the Senate and even the imperial throne were occupied by persons from the Mediterranean realm outside Italy. The lasting effects of Roman rule in Europe can be seen in the geographic distribution of the Roman languages (Italian, French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Romanian), all of which evolved from Latin, the language of the Romans. The Western alphabet of 26 letters and the calendar of 12 months and 365.25 days are only two simple examples of the cultural legacy which Rome has bequeathed Western civilization.
It is said that the Roman Empire was never destroyed by any particular kingdom, rather several parts of it was taken down at different times. Its worth pointing out now the significance of the next part of the dream as God showed Daniel.
World History & The Holy Bible (Waist and Thighs of Bronze)
3. Waist and thighs of bronze: In 331 B.C. the Greek took over during the famous Battle of Arbela
Daniel 2:39 “…and still a third kingdom of bronze [Greece under Alexander the Great] which shall bear rule over all the earth.
Historic record confirms that in 331 B.C. the Greek armies destroyed the last Persian king during the famous Battle of Arbela. The Greeks saw victory by the powerful and young king Alexander the Great. The Greek Empire was then established. It’s rule actually covered far more territories than the two previous kingdoms.
Alexander III of Macedon, better known as Alexander the Great, single-handedly changed the nature of the ancient world in little more than a decade.
Alexander was born in the northern Greek kingdom of Macedonia in July 356 BC. His parents were Philip II of Macedon and his wife Olympias. Alexander was educated by the philosopher Aristotle. Philip was assassinated in 336 BC and Alexander inherited a powerful yet volatile kingdom. He quickly dealt with his enemies at home and reasserted Macedonian power within Greece. He then set out to conquer the massive Persian Empire.
Against overwhelming odds, he led his army to victories across the Persian territories of Asia Minor, Syria and Egypt without suffering a single defeat. His greatest victory was at the Battle of Gaugamela, in what is now northern Iraq, in 331 BC. The young king of Macedonia, leader of the Greeks, overlord of Asia Minor and pharaoh of Egypt became ‘great king’ of Persia at the age of 25.
Over the next eight years, in his capacity as king, commander, politician, scholar and explorer, Alexander led his army a further 11,000 miles, founding over 70 cities and creating an empire that stretched across three continents and covered around two million square miles. The entire area from Greece in the west, north to the Danube, south into Egypt and as far to the east as the Indian Punjab, was linked together in a vast international network of trade and commerce. This was united by a common Greek language and culture, while the king himself adopted foreign customs in order to rule his millions of ethnically diverse subjects.
Alexander was acknowledged as a military genius who always led by example, although his belief in his own indestructibility meant he was often reckless with his own life and those of his soldiers. The fact that his army only refused to follow him once in 13 years of a reign during which there was constant fighting, indicates the loyalty he inspired. (Source BBC Historic Times and Figures, Encyclopædia Britannica)
He died of a fever in Babylon but the kingdom still existed after his death though his generals were known to fight each other very often. A report said on his death bed he was asked who he will hand over the kingdom to, and his reply was to the strongest. Never the less, the Greek still ruled for a long time.
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World History & The Holy Bible (Chest and Arms of Silver)
2. Chest and Arms of Silver: kingdom of the Medes and the Persians from 539 B.C to 331 B.C
Ardashir II of Persia on a Coin
Daniel 2:39, And after you shall arise another kingdom [the Medo-Persian], inferior to you….
Historic fact is, after a reign of 67 years, the Babylonian Empire was overthrown by the kingdom of the Medes and the Persians. The Medo-Persian monarchy lasted 208 years, from 539 B.C. to 331 B.C. Represented by the chest and arms of silver, the Medo-Persian kingdom was indeed not as rich and beautiful as Babylon, however, its army was much more powerful as historic fact confirms.
Media is an ancient region in Iran generally corresponding to the modern regions of Azerbaijan, Kurdistan, and parts of Kermanshah. It is recorded that the Median empire probably resembled that of Assyria, but little is actually known. Few identifiable “Median” objects have been found, but the Medes apparently favoured rich ornamentation and also received a strong artistic influence from Assyria. Since no Median written documents of any kind have ever been uncovered, their spiritual and economic life is also a matter of conjecture.
By the victory in 550 of the Persian chief Cyrus II the Great over his suzerain, Astyages of Media, the Medes were made subject to the Persians. In the new Achaemenian Empire they retained a prominent position; in honour and war they stood next to the Persians, and their court ceremonial was adopted by the new sovereigns, who in the summer months resided in Ecbatana.
Above are just a few things found in recent times about the time of the Medes and the Persians. The bible had already predicted the Medes and Persian Kingdom and who will take over from them as the waist and things of bronze will show.