(++) Rome and Jerusalem: The Clash of Ancient Civilizations (2007 Goodman), book
Rome and Jerusalem: The Clash of Ancient Civilizations (2007) is a book by Martin Goodman.
Abstract
This text is Goodman’s explanation of the Jewish Revolt in the years 66-73 CE. Goodman argues that Jews in the time of Jesus lived under Roman rule but did not feel oppressed by Rome. Rather, the Jews depended upon the Romans to maintain peace and stability in their corner of the Roman world. For the most part the Jews and Romans co-existed in Palestine. Caligula’s installation of a statue in the temple was an aberration, and conflict was the exception and not the rule. Why then did the revolt happen? Following the interpretation of Josephus, Goodman argues that it was an unfortunate accident. The Great Jewish Revolt was not an inevitability; co-existence was not an impossibility and Titus did not intend to burn Jerusalem. - Ronald Ruark, University of Michigan
Editions and translations
Published in London: Allen, 2007 and New York, NY: Knopf, 2007. Translated into Polish (2007).
Table of contents
Introduction: the main witness
Prologue: the destruction of Jerusalem, 66-70 CE
Part One: A Mediterranean World
- 1. A Mediterranean world. A tale of two cities
- 2. One world under Rome
- 3. Diversity and toleration
Part Two: Romans and Jews
- 4. Identities
- 5. Communities
- 6. Perspectives
- 7. Lifestyles
- 8. Government
- 9. Politics
- 10. Romans and Jews
Part Three: Conflict
- 11. The Road to Destruction, 37 BCE-70 CE
- 12. Reactions, 70-312 CE
- 13. The Growth of the Church
- 14. A New Rome and a New Jerusalem
Epilogue: The Origins of Antisemitism