First Century Galilee: A Fresh Examination of the Sources

Bradley W. Root offers a thorough re-examination of the relevant literary and archaeological evidence for first century Galilee. Root argues that previous scholarship on Galilee has generally failed to make appropriate distinctions between the different sources of information for the region’s history. He therefore adopts a strict method of historical inquiry, evaluating each of the relevant literary sources and the archaeological evidence discretely before interpreting the evidence collectively. Root concludes with a historical reconstruction of first century Galilee, arguing that the region was politically stable until the Great Revolt of 66 CE. He also illustrates that Galilean culture was substantially influenced by Judean culture and that Galilee had significantly fewer socio-economic problems than Judea. He contends that the Jewish communities along the Sea of Galilee developed their own distinct regional culture.