The Romans were very tolerant of established religions, realising the the gods were the same, just with differing local names. When Pompey captured Jerusalem, he went up to the temple and sacrificed to Jehovah, knowing he was the same as Jupiter and Zeus.
There some periods of cruel Roman repression of Torah-observance (such as the decrees of Hadrian). At other times, the Romans allowed the Jews to practice their religious beliefs as long as they paid their taxes and didn't cause civil unrest in the cities where they lived.
Most of the time, when the Jews paid their taxes and did not revolt, their religious practice was tolerated. However, there were periods of extremely cruel decrees and their enforcement, prohibiting the practice of Torah-commands. One example of the latter was under Vespasian.
Actually, there were times when the Romans outlawed Judaism, such as during the time of Hadrian. During those times that the Romans didn't interfere with the internal life of the Jews, the reason was because the Romans wanted to receive their taxes. That, and making sure none of their colonies planned rebellions, was usually the only thing that the Romans were really concerned about.
They didn't. For the most part. There was a time called "Gizeiros HaShmad" meaning: decrees of destruction-because there were laws forbidding Jews to obey their religion-thereby destroying their spiritual growth. There were however certain times during certain rulers when the Jews were allowed to practice their beliefs.
They didn't. For the most part. There was a time called "Gizeiros HaShmad" meaning: decrees of destruction-because there were laws forbidding Jews to obey their religion-thereby destroying their spiritual growth. There were however certain times during certain rulers when the Jews were allowed to practice their beliefs.
Actually, there were times when the Romans outlawed Judaism, such as during the time of Hadrian. During those times that the Romans didn't interfere with the internal life of the Jews, the reason was because the Romans wanted to receive their taxes. That, and making sure none of their colonies planned rebellions, was usually the only thing that the Romans were really concerned about.
They didn't. For the most part. There was a time called "Gizeiros HaShmad" meaning: decrees of destruction-because there were laws forbidding Jews to obey their religion-thereby destroying their spiritual growth. There were however certain times during certain rulers when the Jews were allowed to practice their beliefs.
As seen throughout history, the Jews were quite beneficial to the economy. Therefore, many rulers allowed them to keep their religious identities in order to keep them happy so they would not resent the country which they served.
All they wanted was payment of taxes and lack of rebellion. They did sometimes suppress Judaism, but often did not.
Ancient religions did not impose their beliefs on others as the later monotheistic Judaism and its offshoots Christianity and Islam do. The Romans recognised that the gods were really the same, just with different local nanes - Jupiter = Zeus = Jehovah. When Pompey captured Jerusalem, he straightway went up to the temple and sacrificed to Jehovah.
The early Romans were polytheistic, and polytheism is naturally tolerant of other religions. In return, the Romans expected the conquered peoples to worship the Roman gods, but made an exception for Jews because of its perceived antiquity and the recognition that a monotheistic religion must forbid worship of other gods.
They didn't. For the most part. There was a time called "Gizeiros HaShmad" meaning: decrees of destruction-because there were laws forbidding Jews to obey their religion-thereby destroying their spiritual growth. There were however certain times during certain rulers when the Jews were allowed to practice their beliefs.