Final answer:
The Jews under Roman rule had a conflictual relationship with their rulers, particularly over religious practices. Roman attitudes towards Jews were complex, ranging from respect to hostility. A significant uprising against Rome led to the destruction of the Temple of Jerusalem and the Jewish diaspora.
Step-by-step explanation:
Relations Between Jews and Romans
During the Roman rule which began in 63 B.C., the Jewish population had mixed feelings towards the Romans. A major point of contention was that they refused to recognize the divinity of the Roman emperors, given their strict monotheistic faith. This led to a significant uprising against Rome in 66 CE, culminating in the tragic devastation of the Temple of Jerusalem in 70 CE and contributing to the Jewish diaspora.
Official Roman attitudes towards Jews ranged from respect for their long-standing traditions to outright hostility. Roman writers like Tacitus held critical views of Jewish customs, depicting them as contrary to Roman ideals. Nevertheless, some Romans admired Judaism, and there were instances of conversion. Over time, particularly after the failed Jewish revolts of the first century, Jewish citizens of Rome experienced varied levels of integration and persecution.
Philo of Alexandria documents that earlier emperors like Augustus recognized and did not disturb Jewish customs, even amongst Jews who were Roman citizens. However, under different emperors, the Jewish community faced different treatments, such as their expulsion from Rome under Emperor Claudius, evidencing the complexities of Jewish-Roman relations.