By Tom Brennan
How often when you are reading the Bible, or historical fiction do you get the impression that Jerusalem and Judea were backwaters. Historical fiction, and often movies that feature Roman main characters, often have lines like “Oh, assigned to Judea Marcus? I pity you”. This wasn’t because poor Marcus would be without a decent bath or dining for his term of duty in Judea. No, he would have to deal with the Jews. The other provinces had various tribes (Britain’s were countless), gods (what’s another holiday or idol), or foul weather (Britain again). At least those provinces shook when Roman hob-nailed boots marched. The Jews had standards and kept to them. That made it a hard duty post for any centurion or especially Procurator. Ask Pontius Pilatus.
Much of what we know about Roman rule in Judea comes to us via Flavius Josephus a Jewish general in the Revolt of 64-73 CE who surrendered and later became an honored guest and historian in Rome. Many criticize his writings because he obviously tiptoed around showing any disrespect to his hosts and benefactors in his writings. But when you read them, especially “The Wars of the Jews”, he shows remarkable objectivity.
The most sincere demonstration of how steadfast the Jews were in holding to their faith and traditions Is when the division of Alexander’s empire resulted in the attempts to Hellenize the conquered lands. Alexander’s genius for a subtle cultural change approach was begun by introducing Greek as a dominant language. A common tongue among nations was one way to lead and dominate, as long as it was your choice of language. Coinage and religion would be next. A recognizable iconography and temples to the myriad of deities would be introduced and the population would gradually and peacefully make a cultural transition. The influence of Hellenistic art themes, language, thinking patterns and disciplines and philosophies is found throughout the post Alexandrian period from Europe to Asia.
The heavy handed approach didn’t work usually. The Jews mightily objected. A serious revolt against the Seleucids established a Jewish republic of sorts and the political schemes of Herod the Great kept a degree of independence in existence. The Romans had learned much and were remarkably tolerant. By the time of Jesus two Legions were stationed in the Province and the Procurator governed chiefly from Caesarea and had a separate palace/ Praetorium in Jerusalem.
Pontius Pilatus is mentioned briefly in the Bible. Mostly in connection with the events of the crucifixion. The main description of him is from Josephus who says he was a cruel and corrupt man. Several years after the time of Jesus he was recalled to Rome for instigating problems with the population. Some Romans were just clumsy and arrogant. The Jews might allow for error but transgressions against the Temple were unforgiveable. Very few if any of the other Roman provinces were this insistent about what everyone treated as a sort of social commodity: religion.
The Romans found it hard to believe that the Jews would die rather than give ground on religious principles. They refused` to use Roman coinage anywhere near the Temple and had money changers exchange the image bound Roman coins for Temple coinage. At one time a riot broke out when an Aquilifer/ standard bearer hoisted the Eagle from atop the Antonia Fortress, a Roman stronghold placed strangely at the corner of the Temple Mount by a crafty Herod.
The Revolt under Bar Kochbar was the end of the Jewish State until its restoration in 1948. What has been renewed is a determination to hold to the unique identity of the Jewish people without compromise. That uniqueness is maintained and also allows for the free practice of religion by non-Jews.
Judea was a place with luxurious cities, baths, forums and colonnades. There were chariot races in Jerusalem at the Hippodrome and gardens, pools and villas for the rich friends of the Romans like the Herodians. What made it a hard duty post was being confronted with a people who would not be bought off or threatened into abandoning their faith. We Christians need to remember this when popular trends in culture or government policies depart from basic Biblical principle. Israel is a great teacher of steadfastness.
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