In this episode of *Life of Caesar*, Cameron and Ray dive deep into Tacitus’ *Histories* and his account of the Jews during the First Jewish-Roman War. The conversation explores the cultural, religious, and political context surrounding the Jewish people at the time of Vespasian and Titus’ campaigns in Judea. They dissect Tacitus’ often hostile and distorted accounts of Jewish origins, customs, and religious practices, unpacking the ways in which Roman writers justified conquest through propaganda. Along the way, the hosts discuss syncretism in ancient religions, the evolution of monotheism, circumcision, Sabbath traditions, burial practices, and Tacitus’ fascination with the geography of Judea, including the Dead Sea and balsam groves. With their usual mix of historical detail and irreverent banter, Cameron and Ray highlight both the absurdities of Roman prejudices and the broader historical forces that shaped Jewish identity in the Roman Empire.
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