Background

Rome - The Roman Army

'The Legion' and Legionary Tactics, The Praetorian Guard. Bible History Online....

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Jerusalem at the Time of Christ

Includes a sketch. No visitor seeing Jerusalem for the first time could fail to be impressed by its visual splendor. The long, difficult ascent from Jericho to the Holy City ended as the traveler rounded the Mount of Olives, and suddenly caught sight of a vista like few others in the world. Across the Kidron Valley, set among the surrounding hills,...

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Chief Priests, Ordinary Priests, and Levites

The office of high priest carried with it a number of unique privileges and responsibilities. He alone was permitted to enter the holy of holies on the Day of Atonement to atone for the sins of the entire nation. As head of the Sanhedrin or Jewish supreme court, he presided over the nation's highest administrative and judicial body. His daily life ...

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THE GREAT SEA

Geography. Bible History Online....

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Rome - Early History of Rome

Historical origins and myths. Bible History Online....

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Rome - JULIUS CAESAR

Julius Caesar, after defeating the Gaul's and eliminating his political enemies, returned to Rome where he received the greatest triumphal celebration any Roman general had ever known. He received almost every power than an obedient Senate could confer on him. Because he arrogantly took up the powers of dictator, some of his close friends, includin...

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The Sanhedrin

There was also an influential lay nobility within Jerusalem, represented by the elders who sat on the Sanhedrin. They were the descendants of ancient ruling families whose powers had originated in the days following the Conquest. Bible History Online....

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The Essenes

The Essenes are not mentioned in the New Testament, or the Talmud, but they are well known in other sources like Philo, Josephus, and the elder Pliny. The Essenes have been described as " primarily nothing but a more emphatic Pharisaism." In the time of our Lord, there were apparently only about 4,000 of them. Bible History Online....

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THE COASTAL PLAIN

Geography. Bible History Online....

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Rome - The Punic Wars

Conflict over the trade routes of the western Mediterranean. Carthage was a great power in the west ruling the northern coast of Africa, parts of Spain, Sicily, Sardinia. Rome was the rising power in Italy waiting to test its strength. Bible History Online....

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