The Jews Under Roman Rule

This superb, illustrated history reveals Rome’s conquest and rule over Israel and Judea, and how the Roman occupation deeply influenced the culture, law and religious establishment of the Jews.

Spanning about 300 years, from the mid-2nd century BC to the mid-2nd century AD, William Morrison’s investigation is thorough. Elements of this history is sociological; rigorous examinations of the social classes and composition of the Jewish society before and during the Roman conquest are central to the author’s explanations. While other histories of this hotly-debated place of human history become bogged down in minutiae or conflicting sources, Morrison consistently strives to deliver a cohesive vision of ancient Israel and Palestine, of power structures military and religious.

Roman policy towards conquered peoples are detailed; these were specially adopted and compromised for the region of Israel after a series of bloody conflicts. The strong presence of an ancient and distinctive monotheistic religion – Judaism – led the Romans to cooperate with the priesthood. Where other peoples had their spiritual traditions destroyed or suppressed, the Jewish temple was permitted to remain. However, the laws in Judea changed along with its overarching culture, especially once trade and migrations ensued between the locality and the wider Empire.

Accompanied with some 45 illustrations, maps and photographs, Morrison’s history of Israel under Roman occupation remains a valuable work and a worthy read.