Roman Judaea

[notnowImreading]

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.

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

Sorry, gave in. Blame the wine.

Josephus, the Roman chronicler, says my DH.

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.

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

Is it history specifically you want or archaeology?

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

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.

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

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.