Imperialism and Jewish Society: 200 B.C.E. to 640 C.E.

This comprehensive history explores the impact of Persian, Greek, and Roman rule on Palestinian Jewish society over eight centuries. Seth Schwartz argues that imperial tolerance initially allowed Judaism to flourish, but the Christianization of the Roman Empire led to its near-disintegration. However, the Christianized state later played a crucial role in 're-Judaizing' the Jews, establishing the synagogue-centered community and distinctively Jewish art and literature that laid the foundations for modern Judaism. Through rich detail and masterful scholarship, this book integrates material relics and literature to address the complex consequences of imperialism on Jewish history. /n/n Challenging romantic notions about Jewish fortitude, Schwartz's work offers a nuanced understanding of how imperial domination influenced the development of Jewish life. By setting the Jews in their eastern Mediterranean context, the book provides an ambitious and ambitious exploration of this vast period, making it a significant contribution to the field of Jewish history.