Chapters
The relationship between the Romans and the Jews was extremely intense over the centuries. Initially, the relationship was based on trade and culture. However, with the expansion of Rome, relations became inflamed.
Rise of the Maccabees and the situation in Judea
The Jewish uprising against the Seleucids was caused by the decision of Antiochus IV to build an altar to Zeus in the Jerusalem Temple. Ancient Jews were divided, apart from religious and political parties such as the Essenes, Pharisees and Sadducees, there were disputes between the inhabitants of the Samaritans and Galilee and Judea Proper. Before the uprising, the Jews were divided into two groups differing in their views on Hellenism, the first pro-Greek camp was represented by wealthier merchants, however, and they differed, some longed for the power of Ptolemy, others considered the Seleucids to be good rulers. The second party (Chasidim) were enemies of Hellenism and consisted mainly of the poor and farmers. The first leader was Mattias of the Hasmonaean family, who, after refusing to sacrifice to the pagan gods and killing the Jew who wanted to do so, fled to the mountains. Other Jews joined him. After his death, Judah Maccabees became the leader, and under his leadership, Jerusalem was captured. In 161 BCE he sent a legation to Rome. This event is considered to be Judea’s first contact with Rome. The legation signed a treaty of friendship with Rome in which the senate undertook to order Demetrius I Soter not to attack the Jews. After Judah’s death, his brother Jonathan became the leader, who had managed to gain access to the Mediterranean Sea. As a result of the negotiations with the Seleucids, Judea practically gained independence, but it finally happened when the leader of the uprising was Simon Maccabees in 141 BCE.
State of the Maccabees and Pompey’s campaign
As civil war raged in Judea between the brothers Aristobulus and Hyrcanus, Pompey campaigned in the east. In 65 BCE he sent an officer, Marcus Scaurus, to Judea to investigate the matter. Hircan was supported by the Nabataeans, the officer, fearing that when he stood on his side, it would mean a Nabataean invasion of Judea, he opted for Aristobulus, many allies turned away from Hircan, and the Nabataean troops supporting him were crushed. Hircan, however, did not lose faith. Pompey himself came to Judea in 63 BCE. Both Aristobulus and Hirkan fought for their support. Ultimately, the chief supported Hirkana and, with the help of the Pharisees, conquered Jerusalem, but at the same time desecrated the temples, which enraged the Jews. Aristobulus was imprisoned.
Julius Caesar
Then a great civil war broke out in Rome between Julius Caesar and Pompey. Caesar initially planned to restore Aristobulus to the throne of Judea, who at that time was in a prison in Rome, but the former king of Judea was poisoned. During the Alexandrian war, the authorities of Judea decided to side with Caesar and Cleopatra. Herod, the son of Antipater, was awarded for this, and the advisers of Hirkana received Roman citizenship. Caesar favoured the Jews in Judea and throughout the empire. In 44 BCE Caesar was murdered, and it was the Jews who mourned him the most at his funeral.
2nd Triumvirate
Power over Judea was temporarily taken over by Cassius, but it soon fell under the rule of the triumvir of Marcus Antony, who was friendly to Jews. In 40 BCE Herod, the son of the late Antipater, was recognized by the Roman senate as king of Judea. During the Parthian invasion, Judea fell under their rule for a while. After the Romans recaptured these lands, Herod regained power. The agreement between Antony, Octavian a