The Relationship Between the Romans and the Jews of Israel

The relationship between the Romans and the Jews of Israel was not always confrontational and destructive and disastrous. Contrary to popular belief, the Romans actually gave considerable autonomy to the people of Judea during the beginning of the Roman Empire (NOAB, 2247). Due to the disobedient leaders of Judea, the Romans were forced to quickly tightened their reigns and not allow the Judeans to have the independence the wanted (NOAB, 2248). This change of events was the first of many destructive ones that contributed to why the relationship between the Romans and the Jews of Israel is to become so destructive.

The conquest of Judea began in 63 BCE, which, even though it is just only a minor part of a larger expansion of Roman power, signifies the Jews of Israel loss of independence that they wanted so much. The first 26 years of the Roman rule in Judea are not discussed, but the following 33 years after that, from what I can gather did not seem as bad as what is to come in the future. Under the kingship of Herod the Great from 37-4 BCE, the Jews were given their above-mentioned autonomy. In order to receive and maintain that freedom, the ruler of Judea had to abide by two Roman rules: First, to maintain order in their state, and second, to pay tribute to Rome (NOAB, 2247). Herod the Great was clearly called ‘Great’ for a reason because he allotted his people that liberty. As we will see in the future, Herod’s successors were not able to allow their people these liberties.

Because Herod the Great’s successors were not as proficient as he was, the Romans were able to take direct rule and control over Judea in 6 CE. The start of this Roman rule in Judea also marked the beginning of a very tense and controversial relationship between several of the Roman governors and the leaders of the Jewish community, if not even all of the people in the Jewish community. The Jews had been living soft spoken under Roman rule for nearly 60 years, but in 66-73 CE, the First Jewish Revolt came to pass and led to the Romans destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE. The revolt and destruction of Jerusalem quieted the Jews for a span of almost 70 years, but then again between 132-135, the Second Jewish Revolt occurred. To the dismay of the Jewish people, the revolt was easily brought down and Jerusalem was made into a fully Hellenized city call Aelia Capitolina