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Roman Judaea

8 replies

notnowImreading · 25/09/2012 21:50

Does anyone have a suggestion for a good starting point for researching 1st century BC and AD life in Judaea under the Roman occupation? I know where to go for Masada onwards, but I'm keen to find out more about the bits before.

OP posts:

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stubbornstains · 25/09/2012 21:54

(am absolutely sitting on hands trying not to succumb to the temptation of saying "Life of Brian").

Sorry, gave in. Blame the wine.

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greenhill · 25/09/2012 21:56

Josephus, the Roman chronicler, says my DH.

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notnowImreading · 25/09/2012 22:02

Thanks, good start. The sad thing is that most of my knowledge of the period does come from Life of Brian and Jesus Christ Superstar.

I just feel like doing some proper research - it's been such a long time since I did some real academic work and I don't want to piddle around in the shallows. On the other hand, I'd be too embarrassed to go to my old college with a 'C'n I have a reading list?' request.

Ideally, I'd like some really good secondary sources so I can pick over the bibliographies. I love Barbara Levick but as far as I know her period for this area is from Vespasian onwards. I can read Latin but I'm rusty.

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R2PeePoo · 25/09/2012 22:25

How about 'The New Testament World' by Malina? I read it years ago but remember it was very good.

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LineRunner · 26/09/2012 01:20

Is it history specifically you want or archaeology?

It's quite a politically contested historical landscape, too. Lots of agendas.

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lisaro · 26/09/2012 01:30

Thank fuck for that! I read the OP and was secretly ashamed of being a snurking philistine. I also thought Life of Brian. Sorry, I love this category, I just can't help being shallow.

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LineRunner · 26/09/2012 01:34

I mentioned Life of Brian (in a good way) before on another History Club thread. That must be because it's bloody marvellous.

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notnowImreading · 26/09/2012 06:28

Thanks for the suggestion of Malina - I'll look out for that one. I'm interested in finding out the historical/political background to the trial of Jesus, more from a Roman imperial point of view than a religious one.

I know what you mean about the agendas though - I need to read around so I don't just get a view that is hopelessly biased.