For centuries, Jews and Romans had lived together in harmony as a part of the Roman Empire and benefited from the Roman laws that protected religious minorities. But after the Jewish revolts of 70 and 132, relations between Rome and the Jews were strained.
Some Romans objected to Judaism for a variety of reasons. For one thing, many Romans were uncomfortable with the unfamiliar religious practices that were a part of Jewish worship. The Roman world was deeply steeped in their own polytheistic traditions, so the monotheistic faith of the Jews was a major departure from their worldview.
Similarly, some Romans had a problem with the Jews’ beliefs that there was only one true God because this seemed to diminish the power of their own gods. Additionally, the Jewish practice of circumcision was seen as an abhorrent mutilation of the body in the Roman worldview.
Moreover, some Romans objected to the Jews’ refusal to worship the Roman gods or recognize their emperor as a divine figure. Such acts were seen as treasonous, and the Jews’ refusal to comply with the imperial cult reinforced their reputation as rebellious subjects.
Furthermore, many Romans resented the privileged status that the Jews enjoyed under Roman law and viewed them as immune to Roman judicial authority. This sense of injustice was compounded by the fact that Jews were deeply involved in commerce and owned many profitable businesses in major cities.
In addition, some Romans objected to the Jews’ strong loyalty to their own religious laws and traditions. Such seemingly loose loyalty to the Roman Empire spurred fears of insurrection and created even greater division between the two groups.
An underlying prejudice against Jews may have also come into play. As an ethnic minority, Jews often had trouble fitting in and gaining full citizenship in the Roman world. This was met with resentment from the gentile majority and only further heightened the divide between the two groups.
Political Stance
The political stance of Rome towards the Jews also played a role in the objections that some Romans had towards Judaism. The Jewish rebellions had angered Roman leaders, who felt the Jews were ungrateful for the protection Rome had afforded them. The Romans were also concerned about the impact of religious differences on imperial unity and feared that revolt could spread if the Jews were allowed to practice their own laws.
Therefore, Roman leaders endeavored to limit Jewish religious freedoms by prohibiting certain aspects of Jewish practice, such as the circumcision of males, observance of certain festivals, and even prohibiting the marriage of Jews to gentiles. This further galvanized Roman opposition to Judaism, as it seemed to perpetuate the idea of Jewish separateness.
Cultural Misunderstanding
In addition to the political tensions between Rome and the Jews, some Romans objected to Judaism due to a deep misunderstanding of Jewish culture and beliefs. Romans in general appeared to have a distorted view of Jewish culture and religion, believing them to be primitive and inferior. This prejudice is evident in the derogatory comments by some Roman authors about the Jews, such as calling them a “stinking and stupid people.”
These comments likely fed further into the divide between the two groups, further reinforcing the opposition that some Romans already had towards Judaism.
Rome Enforces Its Law
The objectors to Judaism faced off against the Jewish people in a major clash in 135 AD, with Roman forces taking back the land that Jews had taken over in the Second Jewish Revolt. This brought an end to the Jewish insurrection and solidified Rome’s position of power over its Jewish subjects.
Shortly after the Roman victory, the Emperor Hadrian imposed strict prohibitions on Jewish religious practices on penalty of death. This was part of an effort to try to stamp out Judaism altogether, as the penalties for practicing Judaism were seen as a form of deterrence.
In the end, the efforts to try to eliminate Judaism in the Roman world ultimately failed, though it did prove to be an inconvenience for Jews living in the Roman Empire.
Public Perception
In the aftermath of the Jewish revolts, the Roman public’s attitude towards the Jews shifted. Prior to the revolts, there had been relatively little animosity between the two groups, according to some scholars, but the revolts spurred a deep distrust between Rome and the Jews. This mistrust fed into the objections that some Romans had towards Judaism.
Furthermore, public opinion was largely shaped by the rhetoric of the Roman emperors and other political leaders. For example, the Emperor Hadrian is said to have been particularly disparaging of Jews and their religion. This negative view of Judaism would have likely been adopted by the Roman public, thus creating further division between the two groups.
Economic Impact
In addition to the political and cultural issues, economic factors likely compounded the objections that some Romans had towards Judaism. As previously mentioned, many Jews were prosperous and successful in business. This was seen as dangerous by the Romans, due to the potential for Jewish wealth to threaten the stability of the Roman economy.
This is evident in laws that were passed in the late second and early third centuries limiting the earnings of Jews and even banning them from certain professions. These laws sought to limit the economic influence of the Jews and level the playing field for Roman citizens.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while some Romans and Jews coexisted peacefully, there were clearly some Romans who objected to Judaism. This discomfort stemmed from a variety of issues, including political, social, and economic. In the end, the Roman animosity towards the Jews created hostility and division between the two groups that still resonates in the present day.
