Ha!!! OK, so we have the gradual loosening of Seleucid control over the region, but lets face it, it's not like the Maccabees actually control anything, so it's the perfect environment for a lawless community to grow up. Possibly, the "rush" of wealth is based around overland trade in spices, so it's off at the borders anyway. The plot, I think, centers on the attempt of the Hasmoneans to actually exercise control over the settlement as they consolidate into a real kingdom.
Our cast of characters include the Hellenized Jewish owner of the local whorehouse (which also serves as a clearinghouse for information about trade routes and caravans) -- he's involved in a feud with the Syrian-Greek owner of a second whorehouse, and in generally running the town and keeping it independent enough to ensure his profits. Newcomers to town, hoping to set up stables are a soldier recently discharged from the Maccabean army and his good friend, from Tyre -- the friend is the one who actually makes the business work, while the former soldier (let's call him Seth!) can't seem to keep from getting involved in the government of the settlement. And with the wealthy widow of a man who recently made a killing in the spice trade. There's some tension in the town between Greeks, Hellenized Jews, and non-Helenized Jews (for example, the widow comes from a Hellenized family, but Seth doesn't), although mostly they're all trying to keep their own business going -- but when Seth's former army buddies turn up to make sure the settlement becomes a proper part of the kingdom, he'll need to decide where his loyalties really lie.
There will also be choruses of dancing girls/prostitutes, camel-traders, and soldiers.
Re: Surely! (...waity. you're not Shirley)
Ha!!! OK, so we have the gradual loosening of Seleucid control over the region, but lets face it, it's not like the Maccabees actually control anything, so it's the perfect environment for a lawless community to grow up. Possibly, the "rush" of wealth is based around overland trade in spices, so it's off at the borders anyway. The plot, I think, centers on the attempt of the Hasmoneans to actually exercise control over the settlement as they consolidate into a real kingdom.
Our cast of characters include the Hellenized Jewish owner of the local whorehouse (which also serves as a clearinghouse for information about trade routes and caravans) -- he's involved in a feud with the Syrian-Greek owner of a second whorehouse, and in generally running the town and keeping it independent enough to ensure his profits. Newcomers to town, hoping to set up stables are a soldier recently discharged from the Maccabean army and his good friend, from Tyre -- the friend is the one who actually makes the business work, while the former soldier (let's call him Seth!) can't seem to keep from getting involved in the government of the settlement. And with the wealthy widow of a man who recently made a killing in the spice trade. There's some tension in the town between Greeks, Hellenized Jews, and non-Helenized Jews (for example, the widow comes from a Hellenized family, but Seth doesn't), although mostly they're all trying to keep their own business going -- but when Seth's former army buddies turn up to make sure the settlement becomes a proper part of the kingdom, he'll need to decide where his loyalties really lie.
There will also be choruses of dancing girls/prostitutes, camel-traders, and soldiers.