Session 12 | The Early Roman Period:
From Herod to the Great Revolt
#50-53
#50. Introduction
This lecture will survey the major political developments in Palestine from its conquest by the Romans in 63 BCE, to the influential appointment of Herod the Great (a client king under Rome), and the cataclysmic destruction of the 2nd Temple in 70 CE during the Great Revolt against the Roman rule (cf. Titus and Artistic recreations of the destruction). Politics are only one facet of history; of no less importance are social and cultural matters. The following reading will focus on the latter two and in doing so will provide a glimpse into the social complexities in Palestine at this time.
#51. Josephus
Josephus, who described the events discussed in the previous video, was aware of the importance of comprehending the fragmented character of Jewish society in the days leading up to the Great Revolt [the Jewish rebellion against the Romans which began in 66 CE and culminated in the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the 2nd Temple]. In the following passage from his work on the Great Revolt entitled The Jewish War, he surveys the ideology and theology of the three major groups, usually referred to as sects, within 2nd Temple Judaism. Be mindful of the elements within each sect that make that entity distinct from the other two groups.
Question
How does each group differ in their beliefs about the soul? From a psychologist’s point of view, what is significant about their differing perspectives?
#52. Mark
There were other groups within Judaism in the Early Roman times that were not addressed in the above survey by Josephus. One such group was composed of Jesus and his followers. Note that in the time of Jesus a separate religion called Christianity was never heard of. It was not until approximately one hundred years and more after the death of Jesus that there was a clear border drawn between Judaism and the followers of Jesus. The following passage from the Christian collection of books known as the New Testament describes Jesus’ interaction with some of the groups mentioned in the previous reading. The text is taken from the so-called Gospel of Mark, the 2nd book of the New Testament. Scholars generally agree that Mark was likely written around the time of the Great Revolt.
Question
Who are the main authority figures in this text in terms of religious leadership? What does the author say about their power in comparison to that of Jesus? Does this passage correspond to the information presented by Josephus above? Use your instincts as an historian and try to explain the divergence and/or continuity between Josephus’ words those of Mark.
#53. Louis H. Feldman and John R. Bartlett
Presented here are two readings, the first of which is by L.H. Feldman, a classics scholar. The segment from his article shown below is an overview of the main religious groups in 2nd Temple Judaism. This is followed by Bartlett’s discussion of the remains at Qumran and their association with the Dead Sea Scrolls. He is Principal of the Church of Ireland Theological College. For both articles pay special attention to their treatment of the Essenes and the Dead Sea Scrolls.
Question
Should the group Josephus and other literary sources call the Essenes be connected to the archaeological remains at Qumran? Yes, no, or unknowable? Support your conclusion with the evidence presented in the preceding two readings.