Webinar: Ancient Rebellions, Lasting Echoes

Join us on Monday, September 29 at 1 p.m. ET for a conversation with award-winning historian Barry Strauss about his new book, Jews vs. Rome: Two Centuries of Rebellion Against the World’s Mightiest Empire. Strauss reveals the tenacity of the ancient Jews and shows how their revolts reshaped both the Roman Empire and Judaism. JMC’s Resident Historian and Manager of Network Engagement, Elliott Drago, will moderate.

We’ll ask: How did the geopolitical realities of Judea shape its fierce spirit of independence, and what factors ultimately caused Jewish-Roman relations to unravel? What common threads tied the Jewish revolts together, and how did Jewish women influence the politics of the era? Most importantly, why does studying ancient history still matter today? Professor Strauss will explore the dramatic clashes between the Jewish people and the Roman Empire, showing how these struggles shaped the course of both Roman history and Judaism for centuries to come.

The story of the Jewish people intertwines tragedy with resilience. Examining the struggles of ancient Jews reveals how their history was shaped by courage and an unyielding drive for independence. Across two centuries, pivotal revolts against the Roman Empire echoed with civil and religious conflict, not unlike the struggles of our own age. Though these uprisings ultimately failed, the Jewish people endured, offering timeless lessons in resistance and perseverance.