Part 1: From the last Hasmoneans to Herod: historical reconstruction. From the death of Alexandria (Shelamzion) to the death of Pompey (67-48 BCE) ; From Julius Caesar to King Herod (48-37 BCE) -- Part 2: The impact of the loss of sovereignty and the beginning of Roman Domination. The Kittim and the significance of the Roman conquest for the Qumran community ; From subjugation to destruction: setting the tone for Judean-Roman relations ; Becoming like the diaspora: setting the stage for postdestruction existence -- Appendices: A. The legends of the siege of Hyrcanus against Aristobulus in Josephus and Rabbininc Parallels ; Did Hyrcanus II mint coins? ; The Lēstaí: bandits or rebels? ; The trial of Herod ; In what year did Herod and Sossius conquer Jerusalem? ; The conquests on "the day of the fast" ; A Qumran text about Herod's conquest? ; Is the Giv'at Hamivtar ossuary Antigonus's burial?

Includes bibliographical references (pages 461-499) and indexes

Nadav Sharon closely examines a critical period in Judean history, which saw the end of the Hasmonean dynasty and the beginning of Roman domination of Judea leading up to the kingship of Herod (67-37 BCE). In this period renowned Roman figures such as Pompey the Great, Julius Caesar, Gaius Cassius (a conspirator against Caesar), and Mark Anthony, led the Roman Republic on the eve of its transformation into an Empire, each having his own dealings with and holding sway over Judea at different times. This volume explores the impact of the Roman conquest on the authors of the Dead Sea Scrolls, enhances the understanding of later Judean-Roman relations and the roots of the Great Revolt, and examines how this early period of Roman domination had an impact on later developments in Judean society and religion