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The Ruling Class of Judaea: The Origins of the Jewish Revolt against Rome, A.D. 66-70

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The Jewish War (66-70 AD) is an underappreciated historical crisis. But the internecine battles between various Jewish sects, and collectively against Roman rule, was one of the bloodiest, most dramatic and fateul in history. The fact that future Caesers Vespasian and Titus personally led the battles against the Jews shows how important the war was in Roman eyes, and the famous or infamous diaspora (dispersion) of the Jews was sealed with the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD. The defeat of the Jews is so important that many professing Christians are at pains to believe at least some of the Gospels were written before 70 AD, for if they were written after 70 AD, the motive to spin history to favor of the Romans, or at least exonerate them in significant ways, in the trial and death of Jesus is clear - the Romans were the victors and the Jews were losers in any case. Goodman's treatment of the war is not the most accessible - it is very, very scholarly, and eclectic in some ways, as it is more concerned with the Jewish upper classes per se than other histories of this period(see anything Michael Grant has written for comparison). Still, the book is rich in footnotes and annotations and the serious student of this period will benefit from the book, though this probably should not be the first book about the Jewish War a beginner might read. Modern political scientists will see more - much more - than slight anticipation of the Muslim fundamentalist wars of today in the Jewish War, too. The different Jewish factions, and their devotion to strict interpretations of Jewish laws and symbols, as well as their anti-imperial sentiments and propensity for violence will make you wonder if you're really reading about antiquity, or are reading this morning's newspaper.

The Jewish war with Rome, which lasted from 66-70 AD, was a pivotal moment in history. Goodman asks how the war came about and he finds some surprising answers.

The Romans had a brilliant technique for dealing with their conquered territories. They would "build upon existing institutions, and depose the existing local leaders from power only when it seemed absolutely necessary" (p 29).

But there was a problem when it came to the Jews. Throughout most of the Roman world, rich landowners drew much of their prestige from patronage. Among the Jews, status was more likely to be tied to priestly function, and even a very poor man could be highly respected if he knew the scriptures well. On the other hand, the vast wealth of a tax collector or the power of a Herod drew no respect from the populace.

Religion and ideas--that was what counted in Jewish society. Many believed God would intervene and bring about a ruler from David's line. Josephus blames Judas of Galilee for the argument that "Jews should prefer death to submission to any mortal master instead of God" (p 93).

Goodman argues that the ruling class, for the most part, supported the war, and he gathers an impressive set of facts to prove it. Josephus suggested that the rulers stayed in Jerusalem only due to a pious wish to save the temple from destruction. Yet not only is this not true, as Goodman shows, the rulers, were, in fact, in charge throughout most of the war.

Over a million Jews died in the war. The few survivors were either crucified or shipped to Rome as slaves.

And afterwards, so much was changed. The temple was gone, and with it, all sacrifice and the entire priestly structure. To be a priest you had to prove your lineage, and all these papers were burned with the fire that destroyed the temple.