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Rome and Jerusalem: The Clash of Ancient Civilizations

Rome and Jerusalem: The Clash of Ancient Civilizations

by Martin Goodman (Author)

  • New

    Paperback 2008

    $18.12

  • New

    Paperback 2008

    $24.61
Synopsis

In "Rome and Jerusalem: The Clash of Ancient Civilizations", Martin Goodman explores the history of a titanic struggle whose repercussions are still felt today. In 70CE, after four years of Jewish rebellion, Roman legions devastated the great city of Jerusalem. Sixty years later, its ruin was completed when Emperor Hadrian built a new city on top of it that Jews were forbidden even to enter. In this highly acclaimed book, Martin Goodman examines the background and course of this titanic conflict - from the political ambitions of Roman military leaders to the spread of Christian influence through the empire - and its lasting consequences. "In this remarkable book Martin Goodman casts a truly fresh eye over well-known figures and events". ("History Today"). "Important and powerfully expressed...The best available general account of a turning point not just in the history of the Roman Empire but also in the development of the modern West". (Simon Goldhill, "The Times Higher Education Supplement"). "Should be read by anyone seeking seriously to understand modern Middle Eastern tangles ...a lucid account of ancient tragedy". (Diarmaid MacCulloch, "Guardian"). "Splendid ...an important book, on a difficult subject : the reason why Romans sought to destroy the Jews and Judaism completely. Only one man would have written it". (Paul Johnson, "Tablet"). Martin Goodman has divided his intellectual life between the Roman and Jewish worlds. He has edited both the "Journal of Roman Studies" and the "Journal of Jewish Studies". He has taught Roman History at Birmingham and Oxford Universities, and is currently Professor of Jewish Studies at Oxford.

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More Information

Format: Paperback
 Pages: 672
 Edition: First Penguin Edition
 Publisher: Penguin
Published: 31 Jan 2008
ISBN 10: 014029127X
ISBN 13: 9780140291278

Media Reviews
This is an important book, on a difficult subject: the reason why the Romans, who had so much in common with the Jews, sought to destroy the Jews and Judaism completely. Only one man could have written it. Martin Goodman is professor of Jewish studies at Oxford and has the unique distinction of having edited both the Journal of Roman Studies and the Journal of Jewish Studies. This polarity of expertise enables him to describe in a penetrating way the terrifying Jewish revolts against Rome of AD 66-70 and 132-5, as well as provide a fresh and convincing analysis of their origins and consequences. . . Goodman has written a splendid book.
--Paul Johnson, The Tablet
Martin Goodman's massive new treatment of two crucial centuries of Jewish history should be read by anyone seeking seriously to understand modern Middle Eastern tanges. . . It would be pleasing to feel that international statesmen might draw lessons from Goodman's lucid account of ancient tragedy.
--Diarmaid MacCulloch, The Guardian
Sombre and magisterial. . . a brilliant comparative survey. . . There can be no doubting that the issues raised by Rome and Jerusalem will have a resonance with readers far beyond the confines of university classes or theology departments. The Roman world has begun to hold a mirror up to our own anxieties in a way that would have appeared wholly implausible a bare decade ago. If it was the fall of the Bastille that shaped 19th and 20th century history, then it can sometimes seem as though the 21st century is being shaped by the fall, nearly 2000 long years ago, of Jerusalem.
--Tom Holland, Sunday Times
His style is brisk and clear, his learning prodigious and hisscope immense. . . as Goodman's compelling and timely book reminds us, even the most pessimistic could hardly have guessed that it would take 2000 years for [the Jews] to return to their holy city -- or that even then, their battles would be far from over.
--Dominic Sandbrook, Saturday Telegraph
Rome and Jerusalem is, among many other things, a history of anti-Semitism -- or, if that term is felt to be anachronistic for Goodman's period. . . judaophobia. . . Martin Goodman has spent his career studying both ancient Rome and ancient Jerusalem ...He is thus the ideal scholar to try to hack a way through these tangled thickets of belief, prejudice and false consciousness.
--Paul Cartledge, Sunday Telegraph
A monumental work of scholarship ... the parallels with modern day Baghdad are all the more resonant for Goodman studiously avoiding them.
--Rabbi David J. Goldberg, the Independent
An impressive, scholarly book.
-- The Economist

From the Hardcover edition.

Author Bio
Martin Goodman has divided his intellectual life between the Roman and Jewish worlds. He has edited both the Journal of Roman Studies and the Journal of Jewish Studies. He has taught Roman History at Birmingham and Oxford Universities, and is currently Professor of Jewish Studies at Oxford.