Final answer:
Roman attitudes toward the Jewish people were complex and ranged from respect for their ancient traditions to suspicion and hostility, with negative views often rooted in Jewish monotheism conflicting with Roman practices.
Step-by-step explanation:
The most prevalent Roman attitudes toward the Jewish people were a mix of suspicion and occasional hostility. Officially, Roman treatment varied and was not consistently hostile; some emperors and officials granted Jews certain privileges, often citing the deep history and traditions of their culture. However, Romans expressed conflicting opinions about the Jews. Writers like Tacitus noted Jewish customs with contempt, reflecting a broader societal view that was puzzled or even repelled by Jewish monotheism and practices such as circumcision, which stood in stark contrast to Roman polytheism and emperor worship.
Furthermore, the preserve of Jewish identity in Rome among immigrants who had originally arrived as slaves was significant. Roman responses to Jewish resistance, such as the revolts of 66 CE and the subsequent destruction of the Second Temple, revealed a severe attitude that contributed to the dispersion of the Jewish population and the beginnings of the Jewish diaspora. The complex nature of Roman views towards Jews included both a respect for their antiquity but also hostility leading to slander and violence.