Judíos versus Roma

The two centuries of conflict between ancient Israel and Rome constitute one of the most pivotal eras in human history: they transformed Judaism and gave rise to Christianity. Between 63 BCE and 136 CE, the Jewish people rose up against Rome, driven by deep religious convictions and resentment toward Roman control and power. Judea—a province on the Empire's eastern periphery—became the epicenter of this tension. *Jews versus Rome* recounts these events: first, the Great Revolt (66–70 CE), which led to the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple and culminated in the siege of Masada, where defenders chose mass suicide over surrender; next, the Diaspora Revolt, sparked by heavy taxation across the Empire; and finally, the Bar Kokhba rebellion. These pages reveal not only the world-changing events themselves but also the key figures who shaped them—such as the leader Bar Kokhba and Berenice, the Jewish princess who played a crucial role in the politics of the Great Revolt and who, against all odds, became the lover of Titus, the future Roman emperor and the very man who destroyed Jerusalem. The echoes of those battles still resonate today. The Jewish nation continues to face new challenges and conflicts. With a captivating narrative, Barry Strauss vividly portrays the drama of that era—the brave yet tragic rebellions, the geopolitical clash between the Roman and Persian empires, and internal Jewish conflicts—connecting the past to the present, as history so often does. A pivotal period in history that helps us understand the world today. Barry Strauss is currently one of the world's leading experts on the history of Rome.