Final answer:
The main reason for animosity between the Roman Empire and the Jewish people of Jerusalem in the time of Jesus was rooted in cultural and religious differences, as well as political tensions. The Jews' refusal to participate in symbolic rituals acknowledging the emperors and the uprising against Roman rule intensified the animosity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The main reason for animosity between the Roman Empire and the Jewish people of Jerusalem in the time of Jesus was rooted in cultural and religious differences, as well as political tensions.
One key point of contention was that the Jews refused to participate in symbolic rituals acknowledging the primacy of the emperors due to their strict monotheistic beliefs. The Romans saw this as a refusal to show loyalty to the empire.
The uprising of the Jews against Roman rule in 66 CE and the subsequent destruction of the Temple of Jerusalem in 70 CE further intensified the animosity, leading to the enslavement and deportation of many Jewish people.