History:

Bayit Sheni,  Roman Period 

Description

This shiur explores the life and times of the popular Jewish queen Salome Alexandria, who reigned in the early first century BCE. This was a time of uncertainty and instability in Judea, as a Roman takeover became increasingly likely, and Pharisees and Sadducees vied to install their own supporters as monarch of Judea. The early first century BCE began under the reign of the despotic Alexander Jannaeus, who killed thousands of Judeans when they organized a coup against him. The reign of Alexander's wife Salome following his death in 76 BCE ended up being a surprising nine year respite from intra-Jewish strife - for the most part, that is.