Judaea and the Romans

The Jews and the RomansRoman rule of Judaea led some Jews

to oppose Rome peacefully, while others walked a different path and

rebelled.

The Jews and the Romans Suppose you were separated from your home and could not

easily return to it.

What effect might this have on you and your family?

The Jews and the RomansThis is how the Jews felt when Rome

forced them to leave their Capital City of Jerusalem.

The Jews and the RomansDuring the 900’s B.C.E., two great kings, David and Solomon, united the Israelites

and created the Kingdom of Israel. The Israelites were the chosen people who God told Moses to save and get out

of Egypt.

The Jews and the RomansThe Kingdom of Israel also created a

beautiful capital city, Jerusalem

The Jews and the Romans

The Jews and the Romans

The Jews and the RomansThis unity did not last long, Israel divided

into two Kingdoms: Israel and Judah. These small kingdoms were later taken over by more powerful neighbors…ROME

The Jews and the Romans Israel was destroyed and its people were scattered. The Jews, however, the people

of Judah, survived.

Roman Rule In 63 B.C.E. the Romans took over Judah…at

first, they ruled through Jewish Kings.Then in 6 C.E. Emperor Augustus turned Judah into a Roman province called Judaea.

Roman Rule Instead of a King, a Roman governor called

a Procurator ruled the new province on the Emperor’s behalf. This created anger and the people of Judaea argued among themselves over what to do about the

Romans.

Roman RuleOthers opposed the Romans rule by

closely following Jewish traditions. While others turned their backs on Rome.

Roman RuleThese few who turned their backs on the

Romans settled in isolated areas and shared their belongings with their

community.

Roman RuleQuestions: 1) What was the name of the capital city

of Israel?Jerusalem 2) Emperor Augustus turned Judah into a

Roman province called ___________? Judaea3) What was the name for the Roman

governor of this province? Procurator

Rebellion Some Jews believed that they should fight

the Romans and take back control of their Kingdom. These people, called Zealots,

convinced many Jews to take up arms against the Romans in 66 C.E.

Rebellion The rebellion was brutally crushed by

Rome. The Romans destroyed the Jewish Temple

and killed thousands of the Rebels.

Rebellion In the Jewish religion a “Temple” or

Synagogue is where worship takes place.

Rebellion During this rebellion the Romans

completely destroyed the second Jewish Temple…all that is left of the temple is the

Western Wall.

Rebellion The Western Wall is the retaining wall for the

courtyard of the ancient temple…perhaps in modern terms, we would consider it

something of a "curb" around a parking lot. It is the only structure remaining of the

ancient Jewish temple…it is thought that you can write messages to god, and put

them into the cracks of the wall and god will receive them.

Rebellion The Battle of Masada:

Masada was originally built as a citadel on a huge peak near the Dead Sea.

Rebellion After the Romans had defeated the Jewish uprising

and had taken Jerusalem the Zealots, had retreated to Masada to avoid capture or death.

The Zealots had good reason to believe they could hold out indefinitely at Masada, the cliffs

were hundreds of feet high there were reservoirs of water and they had plenty of food.

Rebellion After an initial failed attempt to take the

fortress, the Romans settled down for a siege. They actually built a rampart up along one cliff wall, making their own pathway up against the walls of the

fortress.

Rebellion The Romans were then able to advance a battering ram up and eventually breached

the wall. When the Romans entered Masada however, they found the defenders dead.

Rebellion A Jewish general named Josephus fought in the war but later sided with the Romans gives us a primary account of this event. He states that the defenders killed each

other to avoid the sin of suicide.

Rebellion Josephus wrote about the horrors of

Jerusalem’s fall in his book called the History of the Jewish War…which can be

purchased today

Rebellion The Jews rebelled again in 132 C.E. and were once again defeated. This time the

Romans forced all Jews to leave Jerusalem and banned them from ever returning to

the city.

Rebellion Saddened by the loss of their city

Jerusalem, many Jews found new homes in other parts of Europe.

Rebellion By 700 C.E., the Jews had set up

communities as far west as Spain and as far east as central Asia. In later centuries,

Jewish settlers throughout other parts of the world as well, even the United States.

Rebellion In their new scattered communities, the

Jewish people kept their faith alive by studying and following their religious

laws.They passed their knowledge down to their children and their religion survived.

Rebellion Questions: 4) What were the Jewish rebels who wanted to fight Rome

called? Zealots 5) What happened during the first two Jewish rebellions? They were crushed by the Romans 6) 6)How did the Zealots die during the battle of Masada? Killed each other, to avoid the sin of suicide. 7) Why did the Jews have to leave Jerusalem? The Romans banned them from ever returning 8) What areas of the world did the Jewish people settle

after the rebellions? Europe, Asia…specifically Spain and the United

States