audiobook Political Islam; Iran; and the Enlightenment: Philosophies of Hope and Despair by Ali Mirsepassi in History

Description

A conflict that erupted between Roman legions and some Judaeans in late A.D. 66 had an incalculable impact on Rome's physical appearance and imperial governance; on ancient Jews bereft of their mother-city and temple; and on early Christian fortunes. Historical scholarship and cinema alike tend to see the conflict as the culmination of long Jewish resistance to Roman oppression. In this volume; Steve Mason re-examines the war in all relevant contexts (e.g.; the Parthian dimension; Judaea's place in Roman Syria) and phases; from the Hasmoneans to the fall of Masada. Mason approaches each topic as a historical investigation; clarifying problems that need to be solved; understanding the available evidence; and considering scenarios that might explain the evidence. The simplest reconstructions make the conflict more humanly intelligible while casting doubt on received knowledge.