History club
Roman Judaea
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. 
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.
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.
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