Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Abbreviations
- Preface
- Maps
- 1 Introduction
- PART I THE RULING CLASS A.D. 6–66
- PART II FACTION STRUGGLE WITHIN THE RULING CLASS
- 6 Reactions to failure: the ruling class a.d. 6–66
- 7 The outbreak of revolt
- 8 The independent Jewish state a.d. 67–70
- 9 Trends in faction politics a.d. 50–70
- PART III THE AFTERMATH OF THE REVOLT
- Select bibliography
- Index
9 - Trends in faction politics a.d. 50–70
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 01 June 2011
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Abbreviations
- Preface
- Maps
- 1 Introduction
- PART I THE RULING CLASS A.D. 6–66
- PART II FACTION STRUGGLE WITHIN THE RULING CLASS
- 6 Reactions to failure: the ruling class a.d. 6–66
- 7 The outbreak of revolt
- 8 The independent Jewish state a.d. 67–70
- 9 Trends in faction politics a.d. 50–70
- PART III THE AFTERMATH OF THE REVOLT
- Select bibliography
- Index
Summary
The internal politics of the Jewish state from a.d. 67 to a.d. 70 have proved to be susceptible to the same kind of analysis as was appropriate for the faction struggle before and at the start of the war. Josephus' account is therefore to be dismissed when he marks a distinct break in the nature of the Judaean leadership after the middle of a.d. 67: just as he was misleading when he suggested that all generals appointed by the people before he was elected in a.d. 66 did not hold legitimate authority (above, p. 156), so he was mendacious when he asserted that all who remained on the rebel side after his own defection to the Romans were rabid scoundrels prevented only by their wickedness from realizing the uselessness of revolt.
For his own peace of mind Josephus was bound to condemn in this way his erstwhile colleagues who continued the revolutionary struggle after his capitulation. He even persuaded himself that his knowledge of the impiety of further resistance to the Romans had been vouchsafed to him by a divine vision (B.J. 3.352–4). But it is not necessary for modern historians to follow Josephus' prejudices, though surprisingly many of them do.
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- Information
- The Ruling Class of JudaeaThe Origins of the Jewish Revolt against Rome, A.D. 66–70, pp. 198 - 228Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 1987