David deSilva (Ph.D., Emory University) is Trustees' Distinguished Professor of New Testament and Greek at Ashland Theological Seminary. He is the author of The Jewish Teachers of Jesus, James, and Jude (OUP, 2012), among many other books and publications.

This is the latest in Oxford's 'Essentials of Biblical Studies' series and aims to provide a succinct reconstruction of the history of Judea from 334 BC to AD 135. DeS. aims to look at 'the larger story of the activities and interests on the Seleucid, Ptolemaic, Roman and Parthian empires' which is a tall order for such a short book, and he is to be congratulated on fitting this quart of history into such an accessible pint pot.

• Introduction 1. Living with Giants: From Alexander to Antiochus III 2. Abomination of Desolation: The Hellenizing Crisis and the Maccabean Revolution 3. Heirs of Phinehas: The Rise and Demise of the Hasmonean Dynasty 4. The King of the Jews: Herod and his Heirs 5. Under the Eagle's Wings: Judea under Roman Rule 6. A Failed Messiah and a New Beginning: The Second Jewish Revolt and the Rise of Rabbinic Judaism BibliographyIndex

David deSilva (Ph.D., Emory University) is Trustees' Distinguished Professor of New Testament and Greek at Ashland Theological Seminary. He is the author of The Jewish Teachers of Jesus, James, and Jude (OUP, 2012), among many other books and publications.

This is the latest in Oxford's 'Essentials of Biblical Studies' series and aims to provide a succinct reconstruction of the history of Judea from 334 BC to AD 135. DeS. aims to look at 'the larger story of the activities and interests on the Seleucid, Ptolemaic, Roman and Parthian empires' which is a tall order for such a short book, and he is to be congratulated on fitting this quart of history into such an accessible pint pot.

• Introduction 1. Living with Giants: From Alexander to Antiochus III 2. Abomination of Desolation: The Hellenizing Crisis and the Maccabean Revolution 3. Heirs of Phinehas: The Rise and Demise of the Hasmonean Dynasty 4. The King of the Jews: Herod and his Heirs 5. Under the Eagle's Wings: Judea under Roman Rule 6. A Failed Messiah and a New Beginning: The Second Jewish Revolt and the Rise of Rabbinic Judaism BibliographyIndex

David deSilva (Ph.D., Emory University) is Trustees' Distinguished Professor of New Testament and Greek at Ashland Theological Seminary. He is the author of The Jewish Teachers of Jesus, James, and Jude (OUP, 2012), among many other books and publications.

This is the latest in Oxford's 'Essentials of Biblical Studies' series and aims to provide a succinct reconstruction of the history of Judea from 334 BC to AD 135. DeS. aims to look at 'the larger story of the activities and interests on the Seleucid, Ptolemaic, Roman and Parthian empires' which is a tall order for such a short book, and he is to be congratulated on fitting this quart of history into such an accessible pint pot.

• Introduction 1. Living with Giants: From Alexander to Antiochus III 2. Abomination of Desolation: The Hellenizing Crisis and the Maccabean Revolution 3. Heirs of Phinehas: The Rise and Demise of the Hasmonean Dynasty 4. The King of the Jews: Herod and his Heirs 5. Under the Eagle's Wings: Judea under Roman Rule 6. A Failed Messiah and a New Beginning: The Second Jewish Revolt and the Rise of Rabbinic Judaism BibliographyIndex