Yet the Jews were a distinct people with their own peculiar traditions, and a certain degree of tension was inevitable. The tension arose from both sides. Greek interest in Judaism was superficial. In the period immediately after Alexander’s conquests, a number of Greek historians and philosophers wrote on the Jews (Hecataeus of Abdera, Theophrastus, Megasthenes, Clearchus of Soli). Their attitude was respectful, determined by Greek stereotypes of eastern peoples rather