"Rome and Jerusalem" by Martin Goodman

DaBuster · Joined: 14 Sep 2007 Posts: 5 Location: Maryland, USA

A fascinating book that compares and contrasts Roman and Judean society in the century leading up to the Jewish revolts of 66-70 and 132-135. While I’m not entirely convinced by his conclusion “that the Jewish world in which Jesus lived was under Roman rule but was not, and did not feel, oppressed by Rome” (p552), nonetheless anyone interested in this period of history should enjoy Goodman’s work.

rgoode · Posted: Mon Dec 24, 2007 3:39 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the recommendation. I have a lot of respect for Martin's work, but I agree that it does seem a strange conclusion. Is Martin referring to the Jewish world per se, or just the area around Galilee? It seems rather at odds with the numerous resistance factions (apocalyptists, zealots, nationalists etc) that were around at the time. Does he address these at all?
Richard

DaBuster · Joined: 14 Sep 2007 Posts: 5 Location: Maryland, USA

Goodman is primarily referring to the Roman province of Judea and the surrounding regions controlled at various times by the Herodians.
He does discuss in detail the evidence of the various factions (sicarri, brigands, etc.) that disrupted Judea in the decades leading up to the revolt of 66-70. However, on page 390 he states that tensions involving these groups were "largely internal to Jewish society rather than symptoms of wide-spread resentment of Roman rule." He goes on to say further down on the same page, "If attacks on rich Judeans sometimes looked like attacks on Roman rule, this was because ... the local leaders through whom Rome ruled the province were wealthy. " This seems like splitting hairs; if wealthy local quislings implement Roman policy, then it's hard to see how attacks on these collaborators doesn't reflect resentment of Roman rule.

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