060009 VO Jewish Wars against the Romans (2012W)

The history of Jews in the Roman Era is one of the most complex periods of Jewish history. The first official interactions between Romans and Jews are documented for the time of the Maccabean Wars. Later on the Jews fought several wars against the Romans for their freedom. These wars marked not only existential crisis in Jewish history but also key points in the development of Jewish culture and religion. This course will cover the history of conflicts between the Jews and the Romans from the time of the Maccabeans until the end of the Second Jewish War. The interpretation of facts about these wars will introduce students into the religious, social, and political background of the Roman rule in Judea.