63 BC – 14 AD

Pompey takes Jerusalem; the establishment of Roman rule and the reign of Augustus

In 63 BC the Roman general Pompey took advantage of the feud between the brothers Hyrcanus II and Aristobulus II. He besieged and took Jerusalem. About 12,000 Jews died in the assault.

Pompey entered the Holy of Holies, to which only the high priest had access. Yet he did not touch the Temple treasures, and the next day he ordered the Temple purified and sacrifices resumed. From that point Palestine was subject to Rome. It was in this condition that it later stood at the birth of Jesus. Later, in 40 BC, the Romans made Herod the Great king of Judea.

In 31 BC Octavian, the adopted son of Julius Caesar, defeated Antony and Cleopatra at Actium. He then became sole ruler and took the title Augustus. In 27 BC he introduced a new constitution and instituted the cult of "Rome and Augustus", deifying his father and himself.

Rome generally pursued a policy of religious tolerance toward Judaism. But no Roman governor ever became popular with the Jews. The Law, for its part, became a symbol and stronghold of the national spirit.