The Status of the Greeks in Palestine at time of Christ

[Archaea]

Militarily the Greeks were supplanted by Rome by the time of Christ. However, is it correct to analogize Greek culture at that time, as one might view French culture during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, whereas France was not militarily that important at the time, but all the courts seem to cater to French culture. Greek culture seems to have been of greater importance than French culture, but is that an accurate perspective?