Jews vs. Rome: Two Centuries of Rebellion Against the World's Mightiest Empire

(Hardback)

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A new history of two centuries of Jewish revolts against the Roman Empire, drawing on recent archeological discoveries and new scholarship by leading historian Barry Strauss.

Jews vs. Rome is a gripping account of one of the most momentous eras in human history: the two hundred years of ancient Israels battles against Rome that reshaped Judaism and gave rise to Christianity. Barry Strauss vividly captures the drama of this era, highlighting the courageous yet tragic uprisings, the geopolitical clash between the empires of Rome and Persia, and the internal conflicts among Jews.

Between 63 BCE and 136 CE, the Jewish people launched several revolts driven by deep-seated religious beliefs and resentment towards Roman rule. Judea, a province on Romes eastern fringe, became a focal point of tension and rebellion. Jews vs. Rome recounts the three major uprisings: the Great Revolt of 6670 CE, which led to the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple, culminating in the Siege of Masada, where defenders chose mass suicide over surrender; the Diaspora Revolt, ignited by heavy taxes across the Empire; and the Bar Kokhba Revolt. We meet pivotal figures such as Simon Bar Kokhba but also some of those lesser-known women of the era like Berenice, a Jewish princess who played a major role in the politics of the Great Revolt and was improbably the love of TitusRomes future emperor and the man who destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple.

Today, echoes of those battles resonate as the Jewish nation faces new challenges and conflicts. Jews vs. Rome offers a captivating narrative that connects the past with the present, appealing to anyone interested in Rome, Jewish history, or the compelling true tales of resilience and resistance.

Reviews

"Judaism as we know it today is not the Judaism of the Bibleit is the Judaism that emerged from the destruction of the Second Jewish Commonwealth at the hands of the Romans. As Barry Strauss illustrates in this riveting account, this pivotal period was defined by conflicting values and visions among Jews, corruption of their religious institutions, infighting when they could least afford it and much more that our own time eerily echoes. This stunning account leaves us with a much deeper understanding of not only the Jews past, but their present as well, and perhaps even their future." -- Daniel Gordis, author of Israel: A Concise History of a Nation Reborn
"Historian Strausshits another home run with this thorough account of the tumultuous relations between Rome and its most contentious subjects, the Jews, in ancient times. . . . There is no better history of this important but little-known subject." * Library Journal (starred review) *
Incisive, timely, and thought-provoking, Jews vs. Rome is an insightful history of the way implacable faith and resistance fueled two centuries of Judeas doomed blows against the Empire. Barry Strauss is a master at illuminating the strong personalities, complex motives, and turbulence during Romes struggle to control the Middle East. -- Adrienne Mayor, Research scholar, Department of Classics and History and Philosophy of Science, Stanford University, and author of Flying Snakes and Griffin Claws, and Other Classical Myths, Historical Oddities, and Scientific Curiosities
"For two hundred years, the Jews fought the worlds greatest powerImperial Romeand by doing so, won their rightful place as one of historys most consequential people. Told by the master historian of the ancient world, this is a wonderful and important read."
-- Karl Rove, former White House Senior Advisor and Deputy Chief of Staff and author ofThe Triumph of William McKinley
Jews vs. Romeretells, with passion and immediacy, the Jews continuous confrontations with the great power of Rome and their own unceasing, often violent internal disputes, and ultimately indicates an enduring spiritual strength to explain their survival as a people. Behind the story of survival is a dire warning against disunity in perilous times. -- Jonathan J. Price, the Fred and Helen Lessing Professor of Ancient History, Departments of Classics and General History, Tel Aviv University

Author Bio

Barry Strauss is a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution, the Bryce and Edith M. Bowmar Professor in Humanistic Studies Emeritus at Cornell University, and a leading expert on ancient military history. He has written or edited several books, includingThe Battle of Salamis,The Trojan War,The Spartacus War,Masters of Command,The Death of Caesar, andTen Caesars. Visit BarryStrauss.com.