The first decade of the first century saw a terrible defeat for the Roman army. Three legions were destroyed in Germania. General Varus and his men, who were leading the expedition, committed suicide after witnessing their devastating loss. Five years later, Augustus passed away at the age of 75. 

After Augustus' two most prominent and promising grandsons died within a span of less than two years, another succession quandary is created. And Judea sees revolts against Roman rule.

When Herod the Great died, his will needed to be ratified by Augustus, which led to political intrigue.

Augustus' key ally died, creating an opening for new heir. 

After the civil wars, Octavian was declared Augustus by the Roman Senate, and a period of stability followed. Herod the Great rules in Judea. 

Julius Caesar was assassinated in 44 BCE followed by Antipater the following year. Each would have a profound impact on first century.  

Pilate puts down a religious movement at Mount Gerizim before we step back and see how Rome came to rule this region. 

SHOWNOTES

Josephus, Ant. 18.55-59; War 2:175-203.

Roman nobility had three ranks: curials, equestrians, and senators. To be an equestrian required free birth, certain moral standards and most importantly, wealth equating to at least 400,000 sesterces. (Pliny NH 33.32).

Pilate’s time in Judea was punctuated by his ‘venality, thefts, assaults, abusive behavior, and his frequent murder of untried prisoners’ (Philo, Embassy to Gaius, 38.302).

Antipater (114 – 43 BCE) was from Idumea, a region just south of Judea. Its name is derived from Edom, the Iron Age name of that land, as Judea is derived from Judah, the Iron Age name of that land.

Antipater’s son Herod, (72 – 4 BCE) was made provincial governor of Galilee, and was eventually known as Herod the Great, the founder of the Herodian dynasty.