The Pillars: Jerusalem, Athens, and the Western Mind From Trajan to Marcus Aurelius: Rome at its Peak
Feb 27, 2025
Explore the peak of the Roman Empire and the tensions between Jews and Christians during this era. Discover Trajan's territorial expansions and the brutal suppression of the Third Jewish Revolt. Delve into Marcus Aurelius's philosophy and his unique leadership style. Uncover why Jewish monotheism resisted Roman religious syncretism and consider the implications of rejecting the Imperial cult. Lastly, learn about the social dynamics, economic conditions, and educational influences that shaped this fascinating period in history.
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Trajan Expands And Faces Revolts
- Under Trajan the Roman Empire reached near-maximum size and Romanization spread widely across provinces.
- The Second Jewish Revolt (115–117 CE) was crushed and Jews were expelled from Cyprus as part of Rome's response.
Hadrian's Jerusalem Rebuild Sparks Revolt
- Hadrian built Aelia Capitolina on the ruins of Jerusalem which likely triggered the Bar Kokhba revolt (132–135 CE).
- Bar Kokhba initially succeeded, minting coins and restoring sacrifices before Rome crushed the rebellion at Betar.
Roman Measures To Erase Jewish Nationhood
- Rome sought to erase Jewish national identity by renaming Jerusalem and the province and banning practices like circumcision.
- These measures aimed to prevent future revolts and partly succeeded but did not eliminate Jewish attachment to the land.
