The Continuous History of the Jewish People

Need a 2 week break. Sorry :-( Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Years covered: 314-352The creation of the portable Jewish calendar ushers in the shift to Babylonia as the centre of the Jewish world. But its a world on the move, as the centre of the Roman world moves out of Italy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Years covered: 280-314JewsRavaAbayeRav Huna ✗Rabbah bar Nahmani ✗Abaye's foster motherRav ChisdaRabbi AbbahuGamliel IVJudah III (?)PersiansBahram II ✗KartirNarseh ✗Hormizd II ✗ ShapurRomansCarus ✗Carinus ✗Numerian ✗Diocletian ✗Maximian xGalerius ✗Constantius ✗LiciniusMaximinus Daza ✗Constantine Maxentius ✗ GreeksEusebius of CaesareaOtherIfra Hormizd Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Years Covered: 236-279The law of the land is the law. But when two Rabbis disagree, how do you determine the law? Sometimes when two Rabbis disagree, the results can be tragic. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Years covered: 202-235Rabbis who were Doctors, Rabbis who were Astronomers, Rabbis who were Gladiators. Rabbi Judah haNasi leaves the Mishna, but that's not the end of the conversation.JewsJudah haNasi (Yehuda HaNasi) ✗Rav Shila ✗Gamliel ben Judah (Gamliel III) ✗Yohanan bar Nappaha (Rabbi Yohanan)Abba bar Ibo / Abba Arikha / RavRabbi HiyyaIlfaShimon ben Lakish (Resh Lakish)Yohanan's sisterShmuel of NehardeaShmuel's father (Abba bar Abba)Levi ben SisiJudah Nesiah (Judah II)Hoshiah RabbahRomansCaracalla ✗Julia Domna ✗Flavius Maternianus ✗Macrinus ✗Diadumenian ✗Elagabalus ✗Severus Alexander ✗Julia Mamaea ✗Julia Maesa"Antoninus" (associate of Judah haNasi)Cassius DioPersiansArtabanus IV ✗Ardashir IGreeksOrigen Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Years covered: 161-217The creation of what would become the Talmud begins, as the remnants of the Jews of Judea attempt to streamline their oral and ritual laws in a written document. And who was the Antoninus of the Talmud? We look at the suspects.JewsShimon bar Yochai — XRabban Shimon Ben Gamliel — XRabbi Meir — XJudah Bar Ilai — XRabbi Eleazar Ben Shamua — XRabbi Yose Ben Halafta — XElazar Ben Shimon — XIshmael Ben Jose — XJudah haNasi — XGamliel (Judah's son)Shimon (Judah's son)RomansAntoninus Pius — XMarcus Aurelius — XLucius Verus — XCommodus — XMarcus Severianus — XAvidius Cassius — XJulia Cassia AlexandraLucilla — XPertinax — XDidius Julianus — XPescennius Niger — XClodius Albinus — XSeptimius Severus — XGeta — XCaracalla — XCassius DioGreeksAlexander the Paphlagonian — XGalen — XLucian of Samosata — XPersians/ParthiansVologases IV Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Years covered: 136-161There is no Temple, the Rabbis are fugitives, circumcision is illegal and the dead bodies of the Jews of Judea haven't even been buried yet. So Jews do what they've always done: start a school, and start again.JewsJudah Hanasi (born during the Bar Kochba revolt)Shimon Ben Gamliel II (Judah's father, the Nasi at Usha)Judah Bar IlaiRabbi MeirBeruria Rabbi Shimon Bar YochaiElazar ben Shimon (son of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai)Rabbi Jose Ben HalaftaElazar Ben ShamuaRabbi Natan Elisha Ben Abuya Hanania Ben Ahi Rav Yehoshua  Trypho GreeksJustin Martyr (Greek philosopher born in Judea, Christian apologist)Marcion of Sinope (from the Greek city of Sinope; died ~160)RomansHadrian xLucius Aelius Commodus xAntoninus Pius xMarcus AureliusLucius Verus Suetonius SourcesBabylonian Talmud (Bavli) Berakhot 57b, 63a–b  Shabbat 33b, 49b, 118b 9. Pesachim 118aChagigah 15b Horayot 13b Avodah Zarah 10a–11a, 18a–b ,44b 15. Sanhedrin 14a, 39a, 91a–b Kiddushin 71a, 72bJerusalem Talmud (Yerushalmi) Berakhot 3:1 Yoma 3:7Pesachim 4:1 Chagigah 2:1Sanhedrin 1:2 Nedarim 6:8 (MidrashBereshit Rabbah Vayikra RabbahBamidbar Rabbah Tanchuma TazriaShir HaShirim Rabbah Eichah Rabbah Greek and Syriac works Justin Martyr, Dialogue with TryphoSuetonius, 12 CaesarsIrenaeus, Against HeresiesEpiphanius, Panarion Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's looking like we are back for Season 2 on May 3rd! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Happy Nicanor's Day! This special episode isn't as narrative, but a collection of interesting things I uncovered in my research that didn't really fit in to the narrative, but I thought were interesting nonetheless. We'll see a straight-branched menorah (made of iron spits), the first blood libel, and tour of Jewish calendar with all the feasts and holidays you've never heard of! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Just a quick message on what to expect in the first half of 2026! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Years Covered: 130-136We end the season with the hopes of a messiah ending in bloodshed and expulsion. This is the end of Jews in Judea, for a long time.ewsSimon bar Kosiba (Bar Kokhba) xRabbi Akiva xBabatha bat Shimon xJudah (husband of Babatha) xElazar (High Priest of the revolt) xShimon ben Gamliel IIRabbi Tarfon xJudah bar IlaiJose the GalileanBruriahRabbi MeirShimon bar YochaiJose ben HalaftaElazar ben ShamuaJudah ben Bava xRomansHadrian xTinius RufusJulius SeverusGargilius AntiquusOthersJustin Martyr Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Years Covered: 100-130What are the ways of the Jews without a temple? The sages of Yavne will try to answer this question as the Jewish people try to find their place in a Greco-Roman world that's getting rather heavy on the Greco.Cast of Characters:JewsSimon bar Kosiba (Bar Kokhba)Gamliel II xRabbi Joshua ben HananiahRabbi AkivaRabbi Eliezer ben HyrcanusRabbi Elazar ben AzariahRabbi TarfonShimon bar YochaiYohanan ben Zakkai xImma ShalomRachelLukuas (Andreas) xPapus xLulyanus xAquila of SinopeRomansTrajan xHadrianPliny the Youngerx Quintus Marcius TurboLucius Quietus xVespasian xTitus x Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Years covered: 70-100What happened to all the people who survived the destruction of the temple? We take a look at their lives.JewsFlavius JosephusSimon bar Giora xJohn of GischalaBereniceHerod Agrippa II xTiberius Julius AlexanderJulius Antiochus EpiphanesEpiphanes of CommageneMariamneDemetrius the AlabarchEleazar ben Yair xMenahem xJudas the Galilean xShimon ben Gamliel xYohanan ben Zakkai xGamliel I xGamliel (son of Shimon ben Gamliel)Rabbi Yishmael xHyrcanusJustusAgrippa (son of Josephus)Jonathan (the Zealot) xRomansTitus xVespasian xFlavius SilvaDomitian xNerva xAntonius FelixNero xCaligula xOthersDrusillaAgrippa (nephew of Berenice) xApion xPhilo of Alexandria xIf you want, I can also tighten this further (e.g., only characters with speaking or narrative agency) or normalize it into a production-ready dramatis personae for the episode notes.tighten to people that wer alive between 68-100Below is a tightened, names-only list, limited to people who were alive at some point between 68–100 CE. An “x” marks those who died within that window.JewsFlavius Josephus xSimon bar Giora xJohn of GischalaBereniceHerod Agrippa II xTiberius Julius AlexanderJulius Antiochus EpiphanesEpiphanes of Commagene xDemetrius the AlabarchEleazar ben Yair xShimon ben Gamliel xYohanan ben Zakkai xGamliel (son of Shimon ben Gamliel)Rabbi Yishmael xJonathan (the Zealot) xRomansTitus xVespasian xFlavius SilvaDomitian xNerva xAntonius FelixNero xOthersDrusillaAgrippa (nephew of Berenice) xApion x Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Years covered: 67-70Perhaps the most momentous event in all of Jewish history: the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. Vespasian meets Yochanan Ben Zakkai, and spares him, and consequentially, the Pharisees. He then has to take his place in the drama known as 'The year of Four Emperors', leaving Judea to his son Titus.CAST OF CHARACTERSThe Jews:JosephusHerod Agrippa IIBereniceShimon ben GamlielHanania (former High Priest) xJoshua ben Gamla xJoseph ben Gurion xJohn of Gischala (John son of Levi)Simon bar GioraEleazar son of SimonPhineas son of SamuelTiberius Julius AlexanderMarta bat Baitos xYochanan ben ZakkaiThe Romans:VespasianTitusNero xServius Galba xGaius Julius Vindex xLucius Verginius RufusLucius Licinianus xOtho xVitellius xGaius Licinius MucianusMarcus Antonius PrimusOtherGaius Julius Antiochus Epiphanes Sources:Josephus - War of The Jews Babylonian Talmud, Gittin 55b–58aSuetonius - The Lives of Caesars Tacitus - The Histories Sulpicius Severus - Chronicle 3.20 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Years covered: 67The Romans make landfall in the Galilee to restore order. We relive the siege of Jotapata, where Jospehus made his name.CAST OF CHARACTERSJEWS:Herod Agrippa IIBereniceMattathias son of Theophilus xJoshua ben GamlaEleazar ben HananiaHanania ben Hanania xShimon ben GamlielYochanan ben ZakkaiMenahem ben Judah xJosephusBen BatiachJoseph ben GurionEliezer ben SimonJohn son of Levi (John of Gischala)Tiberius Julius AlexanderSimon bar GioraNicanorROMANSNeroGessius Florus xCestius Gallus xVespasianTitusSources:War of the Jews - JosephusThe Lives of the Caesars - SeutoniusThe Annals - TacitusBabylonian Talmud Bava Batra 21 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Years Covered: 44-66 ADWe chart Jospehus' formative years, which track the steady decline of relations between Rome and Judea, as Rome plunges into debt and civil war, and Judea into anarchy and rule by organized crime. It all culminates in an attack on Masada, and refusal to sacrifice to the health of the Roman Emperor.Cast of CharactersJewsHerod Agrippa IIxHerod of Chalcis xBereniceDrusillaQueen Helene of Adiabene xIzates II xAnanias of Adiabene (merchant)Elazar of GalileeAlexander LysimachusTiberius Julius AlexanderJonathan the High Priest xHanania ben Nadvai xFlavius JosephusBanusZechariah ben AvkolasKamtzaMenahem son of JudahSalomeAristobulus of ChalcisJames the Just xPaul of Tarsus xAlytriosPrincess SymachoRomansEmperor Claudius xGaius MarsusCuspius FadusVentidius CumanusMarcus Antonius FelixPorcius FestusLucceius AlbinusGessius FlorusCestius GallusNeroPoppaea Sabina Agrippina the Younger xPallasOthoSporusSources:War of the Jews - JosephusAntiquities of the Jews - JosephusThe Book of ActsThe Lives of the Ceasars - SeutoniusThe Annals - TacitusTalmud Bavli Gittin 55b–56aTalmud Bavli Sukkah 2b Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Years Covered: 33-44We continue to followHerod Agrippa—the politically nimble, debt-ridden, charm-wielding, luck-chasing Jewish prince of the early Roman Empire. A family quarrel propels Agrippa into a world of high-stakes intrigue stretching from Tyre to Alexandria, and from the courts of Roman governors to the inner circle of the Julio-Claudians themselves. Meanwhile, the messiah claimant Jesus of Nazareth is dead, but that's not the end of the story. We also meet Philo of Alexandria, the Jew who tries to bridge the gap between Jewish and Greek thought.Cast of CharatersThe Jews:Herodians-Herod Agrippa I x-Herod Antipas x-Herodias x -Aristobulus -Cypros -Berenice-Herod Agrippa II-Drusilla Pharisees and Sadducees-Caiaphas -Gamliel the Elder -Simon bar Hillel Jewish Christians -Stephen x-Simon Peter -Saul/Paul of Tarsus -AnanaisJewish Diaspora -Alexander Lysimacus -Philo of Alexandria-Anilai and Asinai xThe Romans-Emperor Tiberius x-Emperor Caligula x-Emperor Claudius -Tiberius Gemellus x-Julia Drusilla x-Aulus Avilius Flaccus-Lucius Pomponius Flaccus x-Lucius Vitellius -Publius Petronius -Gaius Vibius Marsus -Marcellus-Pontius Pilate -ThallusThe Greek-ApionSources:Antiquities of the Jews - JosephusThe War of the Jews - JosephusOn the Embassy to Gaius - Philo of AlexandriaAgainst Flaccus - Philo of AlexandriaThe Book of ActsThe Twelve Caesars - SeutoniusThe Annals - TacitusThe Talmud Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Years Covered: 1bc - 33Oscar Wilde once said that 'anyone who never lived beyond their means suffered from a lack of imagination'. Herod Agrippa has imagination in spades. Lucky for him, his grandfather's purges are over, but now his friends in Rome are going to start dying. Back in Judea, it's one messiah claimant after another as Judah the Galilean and Jesus of Nazareth enter, and exit, our stage.Cast of CharactersThe Jews:Herod AgrippaHerod Archelaus xHerod AntipasHillel xShammai xCaisphas the High PriestJudas the Galilean xJesus of Nazareth xJohn the Baptist xCypros, wife of Herod AgrippaBerenice, wife of Herod AntipasHerodias, Herod Agrippa's sisterBarabbasJudas IscariotMary, mother of Jesus of NazarethThe Romans:Augustus xLivia xJulia, daughter of AugustusTiberiusSejanus xPublius Quirinius xGaius Caesar xLucius Caesar xAgrippa Postumus xAgrippina The Elder xGermanicus xClaudiusLivilla xNero Julius Caesar xDrusus Caesar XGaius Caesar (Caligula)ApicataAntonia MinorAelia PaetinaMarcus Anoninus PallasPontius PilateOthers:Glaphyra, widow of Alexander, wife of Herod Archelaus xSources:Antiquities of the Jews - JosephusWar of the Jews - JosephusAnnals - TacitusGospel of MarkGospel of LukeGospel of MatthewTractate Sanhedrin 41a - The Talmud Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Years Covered: 34bc - 1bcYou can't rebuild a temple without breaking a few heads, and in Herod's case, it will be his own family. Our final episode covers Herod the Great's final years.Cast of CharactersThe Jews:Herod the Great xMiriam (Mariamne I) xAlexandra xHyrcanus II xSalomePheroras xJoseph the Treasurer Sohemus xCostobarus xThe Babas Boys xAntipater xDoris Alexander xAristobulus xHerod Archelaus Herod Antipas Philip IJudas xMatthias xHillelShammai Bava ben Buta ShemayaBernice The RomansOctavian (Augustus) Mark Antony xMarcus Agrippa xPublius Quintilius Varus The Ptolemaic Greeks:Cleopatra VII xCaesarion xAlexander Helios xOthersMalichusSources:Antiquities of the Jews - JosephusWar of the Jews - JosephusParallel Lives - PlutarchThe Civil Wars - AppianTractate Shabbat 31a - The TalmudTractate Baba Batra 3b - The TalmudGittan 9 - Mishna Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Years covered: 47-34bcHyrcanus' rule is now dependent on Rome, but what do you do when the rulers keep changing? Not to mention, Aristobulus' son is still out there, and the Parthians look set for a fight. Times are going to be tough in Judea, so its the perfect time for a scholar to immigrate.Cast of CharactersThe Jews:AvtalyonShemaiah (Shmaya)Hillel the ElderHerod the GreatAntipater the Idumean xMalechus xHyrcanus IIHezekiah the Bandit xAntigonus II Mattathias xPhasael xAlexandraMariamne/MiriamAristobulus III xSalome, sister of HerodJoseph, uncle of Herod xJoseph, brother of Herod xCostobarusThe Romans:Julius Caesar xSextus Caesar xGaius Cassius Longinus xMark AntonyOctavian Publius Ventidius (Bassus) xGaius SosiusQuintus DelliusThe Parthians:Pacorus I xBarzapharnes ?OthersCleopatra VIIAntiochus of Commagene Sources:Antiquities of the Jews - JosephusTractate Yoma 35b - Babylonian TalmudMishna Parah 3:5The Parallel Lives - Plutarch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Years covered: 67-47bcAs is Hasmonean tradition, brothers will fight over the crown. The Seleucids reach their end, but the Romans, the allies of Judea, appear at the borders. This should go over well.Cast of CharactersThe Jews:Hyrcanus IIAristobulus II xAntigonus, son of Aristobulus IIAlexander, son of Aristobulus II xAntipater the IdumeanThe son of Shimon Ben Shetach xHerod the Great xPhasaelThe Romans:Pompey the Great xMarcus Licinius Crassus xJulius CaesarMarcus AntoniusAulus GabiniusCassius LonginusScaurusThe Greeks:Antiochus XIIIPtolemy XIICleopatra VIIOther:Aretas, King of the NabateansTigranes II, King of ArmeniaMithradates VI EupatorSources:Antiquities of the Jews - JosephusThe Parallel Lives - Plutarch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Years covered: 104 - 67 BCMarrying into the royal family is no prize, when your husband kills his own mother, and jails his siblings. Queen Salome lives in a world of deceit, and has to navigate it, alone. Meanwhile the great Seleucid Empire is in its dying days, with the War of the Antiochi ending with a whole bunch of new claimants.Cast Of CharactersThe Jews:Queen SalomeKing Aristobulus xKing Alexander Janneus xJohn Hyrcanus' wife and mother to Aristobulus xAntigonus, Son of John Hyrcanus xAbsalom, son of John Hyrcanus xUnnamed son of John HyrcanusShimon Ben Shetach ?Hyrcanus, son of Alexander JanneusAristobulus, son of Alexander JanneusChelkias xAnanaisThe Greeks:Antiochus VIII Callinicus xAntiochus IX Grypus xCleopatra III xPtolemy IX xPtolemy X xZoilus, warlord of Dor ?Heracleon xSeleucus VI Epiphanes xDemetrius III Eucares xAntiochus X Eusebeus xPhilip I Philadelphus xCleopatra Selene xOthers:Theodorus son of Zeno xKing Tigranes II of ArmeniaSources:Antiquities of the Jews - JosephusTractate Sotah 22b - Babylonian TalmudTractate Sukkot 48b - The Babylonian TalmudTractate Berkhot 48a - The Babylonian Talmud Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Years covered: 142 BC - 101 BCFreeing a country is one thing...but keeping it is quite another. Simon the Maccabee is now high priest, and with his sons, he's going to have to fight enemies inside and outside his borders. His son John Hyrcanus will expand the borders and expand the people, as Isaac's sons become one family again.Cast of CharactersThe Jews:Simon Thassi xJudah, son of Simon xMattityahu, son of Simon xJohn Hyrcanus, son of Simon xJohn's QueenPtolemy ben Ababas, governor of Jericho ?Shimon Ben ShetachSalome Ben ShetachAristobulus, son of John HyrcanusAntigonus, son of John HyrcanusAlexander, son of John HyrcanusAbsalom, son of John HyrcanusEleazarYehuda Ben GedidyaJonathan the SadduceeThe Seleucids:Antiochus VI Dionysus xDiodotus Tryphon xAntiochus VII Sidetes xAlexander Zabinas xSeleucus V Philometer xAntiochus VIII CallinicusAntiochus IX CyzicenusThe Ptolemies:Ptolemy VIII Physcon xCleopatra Thea xSources: Josephus - Antiquities of the JewsThe First Book of the MaccabeesBabylon Talmud, Kiddushin 66a Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Years covered: 162 BC - 143 BCIn our second part on the lifetime of Jonathan Apphus, we find out what happens to the Maccabees after the Temple is in their hands. Antiochus IV might be dead, but that doesn't mean the Seleucids are just going to relinquish Judea. Independence will be a long, drawn-out process, and paid for in blood.Cast of CharactersThe Jews:Mattitayhu the Hasmonean xJudah Maccabeus xSimon ThassiJonathan Apphus xJohn Gaddi xEleazar Avaran xSons of Jonathan Apphus xAlcimus xThe Seleucids:Antiochus V Eupator xLysias xDemetrius II NicatorTimarchusHeracleidesAlexander Balas xLaodicaDiodotus TryphonAntiochus VI DionysusSeleucid Generals:GerogiasNicanor xBacchidesThe Ptolemies:Ptolemy VI PhilometerCleopatra TheaSources:Antiquities of the Jews - JosephusThe Book of the Maccabees Part 1The Book of the Maccabees Part 2The Histories - PolybiusTractate Shabbat - The Talmud Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Years covered: 175 BC -162 BCIn part 1 of this chapter, we cover the story behind the Jewish holiday of Chanukah, which starts with a war between the Greeks...and the Romans, and leads to a skirmish between hellenist Jews and...other hellenist Jews, which then leads to Antiochus IV going a little overboard, culminating in a battle between the Maccabees and...Samaritans, and finally, with the recapturing of the Temple at Jerusalem so the Jews could celebrate...Sukkot.This ain't the story you learnt in Hebrew school.Cast of CharactersThe Jews:Mattitayhu the Hasmonean xJudah MaccabeusSimon ThassiJonathan ApphusJohn GaddiEleazar AvaranHigh Priests:Onias III xJasonMenelaus xThe Seleucids:Antiochus the Great xAntiochus IV Epiphanes xSeleucus VI Philopater xAntiochus (son of Seleucus VI) xHeliodorus xAntiochus V EupatorSeleucid Generals:GerogiasSeron xLysiasThe Ptolemies:Ptolemy VI PhilometerPtolemy VIII PhysconThe Persians (Parthian):Phraates IMithridates IRomans:Gauis Popinus LaenusSources:Antiquities of the Jews - JosephusThe Book of the Maccabees Part 1The Book of the Maccabees Part 2The Histories - PolybiusTractate Shabbat - The Talmud Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the inaugural episode of The Continuous History of the Jewish people, we review what the Jews of 175 bc would have thought their history was for the previous 1000 years or so. We start with the patriarch Abraham and his descendants, meet Moses, then the settling of the land of Canaan and unification under the monarchy, the Neo-Assyrian invasions, the Babylonian invasions, Cyrus the Great and the return facilitated by Achaemenid empire, meet Zerubavel, Ezra and Nehemiah, and then Alexander the Great and the Greek invasions, ultimately with the Jews falling under the rule of the Greek Seleucid Empire and Antiochus III after the Battle of Panium. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On advice from the people who heard the first three episodes, I added this little introduction explaining why I am doing this podcast and presenting Jewish history in this way. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.