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• We shall examine the significance of these prophetic events in more detail in our next lesson, The Maccabean Revolt. But for now, we note that whereas the ram represents the Medo-Persian Empire, the goat represents the Grecian, or Greek Empire. The goat comes from the west, out of nowhere, so fast and furious that it hardly seems to touch the ground, and completely, suddenly and decisively destroys the power of the Medo-Persian empire. The single notable horn of the Greek Empire represents Alexander the Great, who, at the height of his power and when he seemingly has the world at his feet, dies unexpectedly, leaving the Greek kingdom and empire to be split up by his four generals. One of these generals, representing the Seleucid kingdom, would stretch forth towards the pleasant land (the Land of Israel). He would impose Greek language and customs on the Jews, who in turn would refuse to submit and would rise up in the Maccabean Revolt.