Flavius Josephus on the Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire

Abstract

By the end of the first century ce the Jewish community in Rome had already had a long and chequered history.1 Their origins there stretched back as far as the middle of the second century bce. In subsequent decades the numbers of Jews in Rome grew especially through the arrival of slaves. In 61 bce large numbers of Jewish slaves were brought to Rome for the triumph of Pompey. Smaller scale wars in 37 bce, 4 bce and 6 ce also added to their num bers, while the Jewish revolt of 66-70 resulted in the influx of a huge wave of Jewish slaves into the city. Many other Jews entered Rome independently along with immigrants from many other parts of the world.2 Recent estimates have put the Jewish com munity at between two and six per cent of the total Roman popula tion by 19 CE (20,000-60,000),3 though the numbers presumably had increased by the end of the century. While the Jews in Rome enjoyed several privileges dating back to the time of Julius Caesar,4 their position in Rome also suffered from a number of vulnerabilities. As an identifiable minority group the Jews were periodically subjected to the indignity of expulsion from the city.s The reasons for these expulsions varied, but more often than not were connected to food shortages and the fear of famine.6 Sometimes religious reasons were given. The earliest known expulsion of Jews occurred in 139 bce.7 Other such occur rences are dated to 198 and 49 CE.9 Some scholars believe that Domitian was contemplating similar action against the Jews at