#judaea

hodsandstuff

A corroded temple…

Roman Province - Judaea

AE24 - 10.89g

Hadrian 118-119 AD

Tiberias Mint

Obverse ΑΥΤ ΤΡΑ ΑΔΡΙΑΝW ΚΑΙC CΕΒ

Bust of Hadrian right, laureate, cuirassed, aegis on shoulder

Reverse ΤΙΒΕΡ ΚΛΑΥΔ ΕΤ ΑΡ

Tetrastyle temple with Zeus seated left, holding patera and sceptre

Day 27: Salome Alexandra!

Shelamzion Alexandra was born into an aristocratic Judaean family in the second century BC. She is believed to have been the sister of Simeon ben Shetach, a legendary rabbi and Pharisee religious leader, but her Greek second name was highly unusual for a woman in her position.

Salome made a highly advantageous marriage, to Alexander Jannaeus, who had just ascended to the throne of a kingdom in turmoil. Judaea was surrounded by encroaching powers, and beset with religious tension between the rival - and highly politicized - Pharisee and Sadducee movements. Alexander began persecuting the Pharisees, including Simeon, who was driven into hiding; Salome attempted, with limited success, to stay his hand.

Alexander died while on one of his many military campaigns, though not before naming Salome, rather than one of their sons, as his heir. It was a wise choice. Salome was a seasoned politician and an innate peacemaker - she brought the Pharisees back into power without persecuting the Sadducees, fortified the frontiers, and maintained a careful diplomatic dance with the expansionist powers surrounding her.

Coins from the Bar Kochba Revolt, 130s CE. The revolt, led by Simon bar Kochba, was the third Jewish revolt against the Roman Empire in a century. Bar Kochba took control of Judaea for a few years, but the Romans eventually responded brutally, devastating the Jewish population.

Good Omens + Costumes

Crawley/Crowley's grey dress in Season 01, Episode 03.