The Intertestamental Period: From Babylon To The Birth Of Christ Review

Intertestamental Period Week Date Topic 1 05 Mar 14 Overview 2 12 Mar 14 Babylonian Period (605-539 BC) 3 19 Mar 14 Persian Period (539-332 BC) 4 26 Mar 14 Greek Period (332-323 BC) 5 02 Apr 14 Ptolemaic (323-198 BC) 6 09 Apr 14 Syrian (198-168 BC) 7 16 Apr 14 Maccabean Part 1 (168-153 BC) 8 23 Apr 14 Maccabean Part 2 (153-139 BC) 9 30 Apr 14 Independence (139-63 BC) 10 07 May 14 Rome Intervenes (63 – 37 BC) 11 14 May 14 Herod (37 BC – 4 BC) 12 21 May 14 The IT Period and Christianity (4 BC – 70 AD) 13 28 May 14 Review Week 1 - Overview Week 2 - Babylonian Period (605-539 BC) Week 3 - Persian Period (539-332 BC) Week 4 - Greek Period (332-323 BC)              Alexander 332 - 323 Week 5 - Ptolemaic (323-198 BC)               Ptolemy and Egypt 320 – 198 Week 6 - Syrian (198-168)              Seleucid and Syria 198 - 168 Week 7 - Maccabean Period Part 2 (167-143)               Mattathias 167 - 166 Judas the Maccabee 166 - 160              Jonathan 160 - 143 Week 8 - Independence (142 - 63) Simon 143 - 134              John Hyrcannaus 134 – 105    Aristobulus 104 - 103              Alexander Jannaus 103 - 76              Alexander Salome 76 - 67              Hyrcanus II and Aristobulus II 67-63 Week 10 – Rome Intervenes (63 – 37 BC) Week 11 – Herod (37-4 BC) Week 12 – Intertestamental period and Christianity (4 BC – 70 AD) Week 13 - Review 2

Today’s Objectives Review overall study objectives Review the Intertestamental Timeline Review key nations that impact upon the history of early Christianity Review key figures in the Intertestamental Period and their impact upon early Christianity Review Jewish religious and political alliances and their impact upon early Christianity 3

Reference Material KJV (w/ Apocrypha) Josephus – The Complete Works 1st and 2nd Maccabbees Josephus – The Complete Works Herodotus – The History Intertestamental History – Mark Moore Ancient Rome – Simon Baker Harding University – BNEW 112 Course Notes – Dr. Thompson

We end where we started Masada

The date is 74 AD. The location is , Masada (Hebrew for fortress), which is situated atop an isolated rock cliff at the western end of the Judean Desert, overlooking the Dead Sea. It is a place of strength and beauty. The Romans had destroyed Jerusalem and the temple around 70 AD. About 1000 Jews defend the citadel against a Roman Army numbering 10000. On the east the rock falls in a sheer drop of about 1400 feet to the Dead Sea (the lowest point on earth, some 1200 feet below sea level) and in the west it stands about 300 feet above the surrounding terrain. The natural approaches to the cliff top are very difficult. The only written source about Masada is Josephus Flavius’ The Jewish War. Born Joseph ben Matityahu of a priestly family, he was a young leader at the outbreak of the Great Jewish Rebellion against Rome (66 AD) when he was appointed governor of Galilee. He managed to survive the suicide pact of the last defenders of Jodfat and surrendered to Vespasian (who shortly thereafter was proclaimed emperor) – events he described in detail. Calling himself Josephus Flavius, he became a Roman citizen and a successful historian. Moral judgment aside, his accounts have been proved largely accurate. (War of the Jews 7.8.1- According to Josephus Flavius, Herod the Great built the fortress of Masada between 37 and 31 BC. Herod, an Idumean, had been made King of Judea by his Roman overlords and was hated by his Jewish subjects. Herod, the master builder, “furnished this fortress as a refuge for himself.” It included a casemate wall around the plateau, storehouses, large cisterns ingeniously filled with rainwater, barracks, palaces and an armory. Some 75 years after Herod’s death, at the beginning of the Revolt of the Jews against the Romans in 66 BC, a group of Jewish rebels overcame the Roman garrison of Masada. After the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Temple (70 BC) they were joined by Zealots and their families who had fled from Jerusalem. With Masada as their base, they raided and harassed the Romans for two years. Then, in 73 AD, the Roman governor Flavius Silva marched against Masada with the Tenth Legion, auxiliary units and thousands of Jewish prisoners-of-war. The Romans established camps at the base of Masada, laid siege to it and built a circumvallation wall. They then constructed a rampart of thousands of tons of stones and beaten earth against the western approaches of the fortress and, in the spring of the year 74 AD, moved a battering ram up the ramp and breached the wall of the fortress. Josephus Flavius dramatically recounts the story told him by two surviving women. The defenders – almost one thousand men, women and children – led by Eleazar ben Ya’ir, decided to burn the fortress and end their own lives, rather than be taken alive. “And so met (the Romans) with the multitude of the slain, but could take no pleasure in the fact, though it were done to their enemies. Nor could they do other than wonder at the courage of their resolution, and at the immovable contempt of death which so great a number of them had shown, when they went through with such an action as that was.” The Zealots cast lots to choose 10 men to kill the remainder. They then chose among themselves the one man who would kill the survivors. That last Jew then killed himself. The heroic story of Masada and its dramatic end attracted many explorers to the Judean desert in attempts to locate the remains of the fortress. The site was identified in 1842, but intensive excavations took place only in 1963-65, with the help of hundreds of enthusiastic volunteers from Israel and from many foreign countries, eager to participate in this exciting archeological venture. To them and to Israelis, Masada symbolizes the determination of the Jewish people to be free in its own land. THE HERODIAN FORTRESS The rhomboid, flat plateau of Masada measures 1800 x 1200 feet. The casemate wall (two parallel walls with partitions dividing the space between them into rooms), is 4200 feet long and 12 feet wide. It was built along the edge of the plateau, above the steep cliffs, and it had many towers. Three narrow, winding paths led from below to fortified gates. The water supply was guaranteed by a network of large, rock-hewn cisterns on the northwestern side of the hill. They filled during the winter with rainwater flowing in streams from the mountain on this side. Cisterns on the summit supplied the immediate needs of the residents of Masada and could be relied upon in time of siege. To maintain interior coolness in the hot and dry climate of Masada, the many buildings of various sizes and functions had thick walls constructed of layers of hard dolomite stone, covered with plaster. The higher northern side of Masada was densely built up with structures serving as the administrative center of the fortress and included storehouses, a large bathhouse and comfortable living quarters for officials and their families.

How did the 1000 Jews under Eleazar ben Ya’ir make their last stand at Masada, almost 600 years after being sent into exile in Babylon? The events of 66-74 AD destroyed what was left of the nation of Israel; yet, it provided the backdrop for the birth of Christianity. At the same Rome destroyed the last vestiges of Judaism, the Gospel is being written. Out of the ashes of Jerusalem, a Savior is born. The early church was born during this time and over the next 300 years would be defined, culminating in Roman Emperor Theodosius declaring Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire. Great Commission – Matthew 28:19-20 Day of Pentecost – Acts 2:1

Rulers of Judea Babylonian Persian Greek Ptolemaic Syrian Maccabean Independence Rome

Babylonian 612 BC – Babylon captures the Assyrian capital of Nineveh 605 BC – Nebuchadnezzar reigns over the Babylonian empire and begins Jewish deportation to Babylon 604 BC – Nebuchadnezzar’s dream – Daniel 2 Inferior kingdom will replace Babylon A third kingdom will rise, of bronze A fourth kingdom will rise, of iron Prophets are Habakkuk, Ezekiel, Daniel 539 BC - Persia, under Cyrus, captures Babylon Read about the Assyrians in 701 BC: 2 Kings 18:19-20 19 The field commander said to them, "Tell Hezekiah: " 'This is what the great king, the king of Assyria, says: On what are you basing this confidence of yours? 20 You say you have strategy and military strength—but you speak only empty words. On whom are you depending, that you rebel against me? 21 Look now, you are depending on Egypt, that splintered reed of a staff, which pierces a man's hand and wounds him if he leans on it! Such is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who depend on him. 22 And if you say to me, "We are depending on the LORD our God"-isn't he the one whose high places and altars Hezekiah removed, saying to Judah and Jerusalem, "You must worship before this altar in Jerusalem"? 2 Kings 19: 35-36 35 That night the angel of the LORD went out and put to death a hundred and eighty-five thousand men in the Assyrian camp. When the people got up the next morning—there were all the dead bodies! 36 So Sennacherib king of Assyria broke camp and withdrew. He returned to Nineveh and stayed there Read Daniel Chapter 2 – Nebuchadnezzar's’ dream, not all, just 24-48. Mention Daniel Chapter 7 – Four beasts, interpreted to mean Babylon, Persia, Greece, and rome

Persian 538-537 BC – Cyrus decrees return of the Jews from captivity (Ezra 1:1-4) 536 BC – 70 year captivity ends (Ezra 1:5-11), temple construction begins 516 BC – 2nd temple completed in Jerusalem Haggai, Zechariah, Ezra, Nehemiah, Malachi, Esther 480 BC - Greek victories over Persia (Dan 11:2) 331 BC – Alexander gains complete control of the Persian empire

Greek 331-324 BC – Extension of Greek territory Extends into Asia including the land of israel 323 BC – Alexander dies 316 BC – Ptolemaic and Seleucid dynasties (Dan 11:4) 300 BC – Greek empire divided between four Generals (Dan 8:5-8, 11:3-4) Ptolomy took Egypt Cassander took Greece Seleucus took Babylon/Persia Antigonus took Asia Minor He was killed in battle in 301 BC and succeded by Lysimachus Daniel 11 vs. 2. Three more kings in Persia, then a 4th. l . Cambyses 2. Snerdis 3. Darius the Great 4. Xerxes (Ahasuerus of the book of Esther) vs. 3—4, Alexander the Great of Greece, his death, the dividing of the kingdom between his 4 gen. Of these, two were especially significant as far as the Jews were concerned: the Ptolemies who ruled Egypt, and the Selucids who ruled in Syria. NOTE: In 7:6 Greece was symbolized by a leapord with 4 wings & 4 heads. In 8:21-22, Alexander the Great was symbolized by a single horn. When it was broken off, 4 little horns came up in its place. Here in 11:3-4, when Alexander’s reign is broken up, it is divided I to the 4 winds. vs. 5—9. Ptolemy I of Egypt was strong but Seleucus I of Syria was even stronger. The Ptolemies wanted an alliance with the Seleucids in hopes of eventually annexing Syria into Egypt. Ptolemy I gave his daughter Bernice in marriage to Antiochus I, son of Seleucus with the agreement that Antiochus divorce his wife Laodice & exclude her children from succession to the throne. This took place about 248 B.C., almost 300 years after Daniel’s vision. About 2 years later the king of Egypt died and the king of Syria divorced Bernice and went back to his former wife. He executed Bernice, her children, & those who had helped her. Following that, he himself was murdered by his wife, Laodice. Then Berenice’s brother, Ptolemy III invaded Syria to avenge his sister’s death and carried many captives and spoils of war into Egypt. This occurred about 245 B.C. vs. 10—13. The Sons of Seleucus II invaded E with a great army led by Antiochus II and these prophecies were fulfilled in detail about 203 B.C.

Ptolemaic and Seleucid 280 BC (prophecy in Dan 11) Seleucids Babylonia Asia Minor Northern Syria Ptolemaic Southern Syria Egypt 260 BC – Rome controls all of Italy 250 BC – Greek translation of OT begins

Maccabean/Independence 198 BC – Ptolemies lose control of Palestine to the Seleucids 175 BC - Antiochus IV Epiphanies seizes the Seleucid throne Antiochus IV punishes Jerusalem for their rebellion 167-143 BC - Maccabean revolt 164 BC – Temple retaken and cleansed 150 BC – Rome destroys Carthage 142 BC – Judea gains political independence 130 BC – Dead Sea Scrolls 66 BC – Rome occupies Jerusalem

Historical Background It was during the time of the Maccabees that it is believed that the Pharisees, Sadducees and Essenes developed their ideology. The Pharisees were fighting against the Hellenization of the Jews The Sadducees had accepted some of the Greek influence. They had also been closely connected to the Hasmonians

Pharisees Chief rival sect was the Sadducees Tended to be middle class and open to religious innovation Use of oral legal tradition to supplement the Torah Their interpretations, once given, were scrupulously adhered to Emphasis on divine providence (like the Essene) Eventually adopted a belief in existence of spirits and angels, the resurrection, and the coming of a Messiah However, Pharisees appear as Jesus' most vocal critics

Sadducees Originated mainly from the conservative and aristocratic priestly class Main rival to the Pharisee Acceptance only of the Law and rejection of oral tradition Denial of bodily resurrection; immortality of the soul; existence of a spirit world (Mark 12:18; Luke 20:27; Acts 23:8) They opposed the early church (Acts 4:1-4) Cease to exist after the temple is destroyed in 70 AD

Essenes Strict discipline, isolation from others Bible never mentions the Essenes Credited with writing the Dead Sea Scrolls Characteristics Did not own any private property; shared possessions They avoided any show of luxury, very simple meals They wore simple clothes until they hung in shreds Careful observance of the laws of Moses Established membership rituals – lasted several years Believed that the souls of men were immortal Avoided taking part in the services of the Temple Similar to early Christians

Zealots Fanatical Jewish sect militantly opposed the Roman occupation Most fervent Jewish nationalists called themselves "Zealots" Devoted supporters of the Lord and His laws and who were ready to fight for them Like the Pharisees, devoted to the Jewish law and religion Unlike most Pharisees, they thought it was treason against God to pay tribute to the Roman emperor, since God alone was Israel's king Zealots eventually degenerated into a group of assassins known as Sicarii (Latin, daggermen) Their increasing fanaticism was one factor that provoked the Roman-Jewish war The Zealots took control of Jerusalem in 66 AD, led to the siege of Jerusalem and its fall in 70 AD. The last stronghold of the Zealots, the fortress of Masada, fell to the Romans in 73 AD

Maccabean Period Mattathias was the patriarch of the Maccabean period He had five sons John Simon Judas Eleazar Jonathan These are the Hasmonians, or Maccabees All five were killed in violent confrontations

Maccabean Period They waged a guerilla style war on Syria Mattathias died in 166 BC and Judas took over Judas led the men to defeat several large enemies of the Syrians and eventually freed Jerusalem in 165 BC They rededicated the temple on December 25, 165 BC

Maccabean Period 160 BC-Some of the Hellenized Jews convince the Seleucids to attack Judas—Judas and his 800 men were killed Jonathan then takes up the leadership Jonathan watched as a civil war erupted in Syria, by aligning himself with the winner he was appointed High Priest of Israel and Governor of Judea

Maccabean Period 143 BC-Jonathan is captured by the Seleucids When the Seleucids were moving in to attack Jerusalem, a storm made their movement impossible They killed Jonathan and went back to Syria

Maccabean Period 142 BC-Simon takes over With another civil war in Syria, Simon negotiates Jewish support for freedom When the war was over, Israel was granted their freedom for the first time in over 400 years 135 BC-Simon’s son-in-law, governor over Jericho, made a move to overthrow Simon and have him killed

Maccabean Period The Jews made Simon both King and High Priest and made it a hereditary position—this became the Hasmonian Dynasty Hasidim gave Simon the title “Leader and High Priest Forever” “Until there should arise a faithful prophet” They then asked Rome to mediate the dispute He is murdered in 135 BC by a son-in-law

John Hyrcanus Simon and two of his sons are killed in 135 BC, his third son John Hyrcanus, escapes Hyrcanus rules from 135-104 BC Antiochus VII is the last strong king of the Seleucid empire, dies in 129 BC Hyrcanus is free to expand Judah Takes territory in Perea, then Idumea and Edom Conquers the Samaritans and defeats several strong Greek cities in the region Opens up for future expansion into Galilee

Developments under Hyrcanus Seleucid/Syrian interference eroded Jewish Hellenizers Lose support of Seleucid/Greek power Become supporters of the king Became known as Sadducees Hasidim Had been more popular, equate to the Roman plebes Associated with the common people Began opposing the Hasmonean power Oppose those holding secular ruler and high priest Called Pharisees Hyrcanus finally allies with the Sadducees

Civil War Civil war between Sadducees and Pharisees Jannaeus pours water libation at his feet rather than on the alter Enrages Pharisee, throw citrons at Jannaeus Many Pharisees killed in retaliation Pharisee appeal to Syria (ironically) Syrian troops intervene and then depart Alexandra dies in 67 BC, war breaks out again Hyrcanus seizes most of Judea

Roman Intervention Civil war continues News of fighting reaches the Roman general Pompey, who is campaigning in the East Pompey had become a very popular field commander Very successful campaign against pirates in the Mediterranean Sea in 67 BC Julius Caesar supports Pompey’s actions Pompey moves south to “arbitrate” in Judah Starts the Roman control of Judah

Roman 63-40 BC – High Priest is under Roman Control 44 BC – Caesar assassinated 37-4 BC – Herod the Great is king over Judea (Roman control) 19 BC – Construction of Herod’s temple 4 BC – Birth of Christ and death of Herod 6 AD – Judea becomes a Roman province 28 AD – Pontius Pilate appointed procurator of Judea 30 AD – Christ is crucified, birth of the church 66-73 AD – Jewish revolt against Rome, destruction of Jerusalem, end of Judaism

Antipater II, Phasael and Herod In gratitude, Caesar appointed Antipater II as the administrator of Judea (47 BC) Under Cassius Adds territories to Judea taken from Pompey Antipater II appoints his two sons to posts Phasael is made governor of Jerusalem Herod is made governor of Galilee After Caesar is murdered (44 BC), Cassius seizes control of Judea Antipater II is murdered (43 BC) Phasael and Harod become joint rulers of Judea (42 BC)

Marc Antony and Octavian Octavian was Caesar’s nephew Antony and Octavian defeat Cassius and Brutus in the battle of Philippi (42 BC) Philippi becomes a Roman colony, making them Roman citizens (Acts 16:12) Phasael and Herod switch allegiance to Antony, who confirms their position Parthians invade Palestine 40 BC Capture and imprison Hyrcanus II and Phasael Herod escapes, eventually to Rome

Octavian fights Antony Source of contention Antony’s neglect for his wives including Octavian’s sister Antony gave Cleopatra rule of conquered land Octavian had taken power and territory of Lepidus (part of the Triumvirate) Herod the Great aligned with Antony Battle of Actium occurs 31 BC Octavian defeat Antony (who later kills himself) Octavian awarded the title of Augustus Recognized as the transition of the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire The Battle of Actium was the decisive confrontation of the Final War of the Roman Republic. It was fought between the forces of Octavian and the combined forces of Mark Antony and Cleopatra. The battle took place on 2 September 31 BC, on the Ionian Sea near the Roman colony of Actium in Greece. Octavian's fleet was commanded by Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa, while Antony's fleet was supported by the ships of his beloved, Cleopatra VII, Queen of Ptolemaic Egypt. Octavian's victory enabled him to consolidate his power over Rome and its dominions. To that end, he adopted the title of Princeps ("first citizen") and as a result of the victory was awarded the title of Augustus by the Roman Senate. As Augustus, he would retain the trappings of a restored Republican leader; however, historians generally view this consolidation of power and the adoption of these honorifics as the end of the Roman Republic and the beginning of the Roman Empire. (Wiki)

Caesar Augustus (Octavian) Herod promises his allegiance to Augustus Augustus adds to Herod’s domain Nearly doubles in size Augustus reigns from 31 BC to 14 AD Grand nephew of Julius Caesar Dies at the age of 76 Outlives Herod the Great by 10 years Under Augustus’ rule Orders a census of the Roman empire (Mic 5:2) Census caused the birth of Jesus Christ to be recorded in Bethlehem (Luke 2:1-7) John the Baptist’s ministry

King Herod The Sadducees were generally the wealthier, more politically connected Jews while the Pharisees were more in line with the common people Herod, in order to maintain his power, appointed a Sadducee as High Priest, but lowered his importance He then appointed a Pharisee as his deputy that had control over all the temple’s functions The Pharisees also controlled the Synagogues, which occurred after the return from Babylon

Historical Background All of this was leading up to the birth of Jesus. The political maneuverings had created the way for the Jews to have semi-autonomous control while opening up the whole world for communication The religious world was ripe for “change” and reform, and His message would be accepted by many who saw the need to return to following God—the way God wanted to be followed

Procurators Roman citizens of wealth who were not magistrates or members of the senate Roscian Law set the minimum wealth at 400K Sesterces (about $380K today) Highest class were called prefectures There were 14 procurators in Judaea from 6 AD to 66 AD – the time of the Great Revolt Pontius Pilate is perhaps the most famous Served from 26-35 AD Fifth Procurator of Judea The judge at Jesus' trial and the man who authorized his crucifixion PROCURATOR (prok'-u-ra-ter) (epitropos): This word signified in a general sense a steward or bailiff of a private estate, or a financial agent with power of attorney, and the development of the special usage of the word to denote an imperial functionary or official is characteristic of the origin of many departments of administration under the Roman Empire which sprang from the emperor's household. At the time of Augustus, when the domestic quality of these offices had not been entirely lost, the procurators were mostly imperial freedmen. But after the systematic organization of the administration in the 2 nd century, the title of procurator was reserved for functionaries of the equestrian class. In fact, the term is so intimately connected with the sphere of official activity of the Roman knights that the expressions "procuratorial career" and "equestrian career" are used synonymously (compare Hirschfeld, Die kaiserlichen Verwaltungsbeamten bib auf Diocletian, 410-65). During the last century of the Republic, the class of knights (equites) embraced in general all citizens of wealth who were not magistrates or members of the senate. The Roscian Law (67 BC) established 400,000 sesterces (about $18,000 (in 1915), or 3,600 British pounds (in 1915)) as the minimum census rating for membership in this class. The gold ring, tunic with narrow purple border, and privilege of sitting in the first 14 rows at the theater were the tokens of knighthood. Augustus added to these the public horse which was conferred henceforth by the emperor and recalled the original military significance of the order. From the time of Augustus the first three decuriae of jurors (judices), each containing 1,000 persons, were filled with knights. Under the Republic the influence of the equestrian class was chiefly exerted in the financial transactions of the companies which farmed the variable revenues. The importance of the publicani was greatly reduced under the Empire, but the emperors recompensed the knights for this loss of opportunity by intrusting them with a great variety of administrative functions. Military service as prefect or tribune was the preliminary step in the official equestrian career. The highest positions held by members of the equestrian class were called prefectures, and included the prefecture of the guard, of Egypt, of the grain-supply, of the watchmen in Rome, and of the fleet. But between these extremes the title procurator was applied generally to the functionaries whose positions were of imperial origin. The administration of the fiscus or imperial treasury at Rome and of the finances in the imperial provinces, as well as the collection of fiscal revenues in the senatorial provinces, was in the hands of procurators. They occupied many positions which, on account of their intimate relationship with the person of the monarch, could be safely intrusted only to those whose limited prestige precluded inordinate ambition (Friedlaender, Sittengeschichte Roms 7 th edition, Part I, 132-43). Finally, several provinces, where the conditions were unfavorable to the introduction of the ordinary administrative system and Roman public law, were governed as imperial domains by officials of the equestrian class as the emperor's representatives. In Egypt the title prefect (praefectus) was employed permanently as the appellation of the viceroy, and while the same term may have been used originally to denote the governors of this class generally, when their military outweighed their civil functions, yet the designation procurator became at an early date the term of common usage to designate them (Hirschfeld, 382). Mauretania, Rhaetia, Noricum, Thrace, Cappadocia, Judaea and some smaller districts were all, for a time at least, governed by procurators (Tacitus, History i.11; Dio Cassius lvii.17). The question concerning the original title of the Roman governors of Judaea has arisen because the New Testament employs the word hegemon (Matt 27:2,11,14-15,21,27; 28:14; Luke 3:1; 20:20; Acts 23:24; 24:1; 26:30), which corresponds with the Latin term, praeses, which might be considered synonymous with either procurator or praefectus (Hirschfeld, 384). There is no inscriptional evidence to establish the nomenclature of the rulers of Palestine before the time of Vespasian, and Hirschfeld is of the opinion that a certain passage in Tacitus (Ann. xv.44) where Pilate is called procurator is not sufficient proof in view of this writer's carelessness in details of this sort. Josephus (Ant, XX, i, 2), however, employs epitropos (procurator) for the time of Claudius, and it is convenient to follow common usage and assume that this title was current from the first. It was evidently the intention of Augustus that membership in the equestrian class should be a necessary qualification for the procurators who were appointed to govern provinces. But Claudius appointed a freedman, Antonius Felix, brother of the famous minister of finance, Pallas, as procurator of Judaea (Suetonius, Claudius xxviii; Tacitus, History v.9). This remained, however, an isolated instance in the annals of Palestine (Hirschfeld, 380), and it is probable, moreover, that Felix was raised to equestrian rank before the governorship was conferred upon him. The following list of the procurators of Judaea is based on Marquardt (Romische Staatsverwaltung, I, 409, 412) and Schurer (Geschichte des judischen Volkes (4), I, 485-585): Coponius (6 AD to circa 10 AD) M. Ambibulus (circa 10-13) Annius Rufus (circa 13-15) Valerius Gratus (circa 15-26) Pontius Pilatus (26-35) Marcellus (probably 35-38) Maryllus (38-44) C. Cuspins Fadus (44-46) Tiberius Alexander (46-48) Ventidius Cumanus (48-52) M. Antonius Felix (52-60 or 61) NOTE.-Marquardt gives his name as Claudius Felix, supposing that he was a freedman of Claudius and therefore took his nomen (Suetonius, Claudius xxviii; Victor, epitome iv, 8); but there is stronger evidence in support of the belief that Felix was a freedman of Antonia, Claudius' mother, like his brother Pallas (Tacitus, Annals xii.54; Josephus, Ant, XVI11, vi, 4; XX, vii, 1, 2; XX, viii, 9; BJ, II, xii, 8), and accordingly had received the praenomen and nomen of Antonia's father (Josephus, Ant, XVIII, vi, 6). Portius Festus (61) Albinus (62-64) Gessius Florus (65-66) See, further, GOVERNOR.

Pontius Pilate Referred to as the "Prefect of Judea“ Described as inflexible, merciless, and obstinate Responsible for imperial tax collections in Judea John 18:28-40 describes the interaction between Jesus and Pilate Rule was brought to an end through trouble which arose in Samaria Revolving around a sacred vessel thought to belong to Moses and his attempts to secure Jesus Before Pilate  11Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews?"       "Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied.  12When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. 13Then Pilate asked him, "Don't you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?" 14But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor.  15Now it was the governor's custom at the Feast to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. 16At that time they had a notorious prisoner, called Barabbas. 17So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, "Which one do you want me to release to you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?" 18For he knew it was out of envy that they had handed Jesus over to him.  19While Pilate was sitting on the judge's seat, his wife sent him this message: "Don't have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him."  20But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed.  21"Which of the two do you want me to release to you?" asked the governor.       "Barabbas," they answered.  22"What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called Christ?" Pilate asked.       They all answered, "Crucify him!"  23"Why? What crime has he committed?" asked Pilate.       But they shouted all the louder, "Crucify him!"  24When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. "I am innocent of this man's blood," he said. "It is your responsibility!"  25All the people answered, "Let his blood be on us and on our children!"  26Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.

Rise of Christianity Jesus taught that inner transformation was most important, humility, charity, and love for others Judeans turned Jesus over to the Romans because they thought he might cause people to revolt against Romans Pontius Pilate ordered his crucifixion Followers of Jesus believed that he overcame death and was the Messiah Simon Peter and the disciples taught that Jesus was the Savior and Son of God

The Great Revolt 66-73 AD, time of Nero, then Vespasian First of three revolts by the Jews against the Romans Initially started over religious tensions between Jews and Greeks Grew with anti-taxation protests and attacks upon Roman citizens Ended when Legions under Titus destroyed rebel resistance in Jerusalem, and defeated the remaining Jewish strongholds (Masada) According to Josephus, the revolt, which began at Caesarea in 66, was provoked by Greeks sacrificing birds in front of a local synagogue.[2] The Roman garrison did not intercede and the long-standing Greek and Jewish religious tensions took a downward spiral. In reaction, the son of Kohen Gadol (High priest) Eliezar ben Hanania ceased prayers and sacrifices for the Roman Emperor at the Temple. Protests over taxation joined the list of grievances and random attacks on Roman citizens and perceived 'traitors' occurred in Jerusalem. Fearing the worst, the pro-Roman king Agrippa II and his sister Berenice fled Jerusalem to Galilee. Cestius Gallus, the legate of Syria, brought a legion, the XII Fulminata, and auxiliary troops as reinforcements to restore order. They were defeated in an ambush at the Battle of Beth Horon, a result that shocked the Roman leadership.

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