Were the 1st and 2nd century Jewish revolts a minor or major threat to the Roman Empire?

[repoman]

Was listening to a wack job interview about the Flavians inventing Christianity, but in it he claims that these revolts were the most dangerous problems faced by Rome up until that time.



Most of the comments are by biased Christians.

 

[aupmanyav]

I think it was very minor and did not even cause a hiccup among the Romans. Jesus was alone at the time. Even the twelve disowned him.

"Significant discrepancies exist between archaeological findings and Josephus' writings. Josephus mentions only one of the two palaces that have been excavated, refers only to one fire, while many buildings show fire damage, and claims that 960 people were killed, while the remains of only 28 bodies have been found."

 

[SLD]

I would say it was serious but not the most serious threat they faced. There were still significant threats from across the Rhine and from the Parthian Empire. Of course not all of these threats existed in equal measure at the same time. The Judean revolts certainly may have been viewed as the most serious threat while they were ongoing, only later to be quickly replaced by others from the Rhine or the East.

 

[SLD]

I think it was very minor and did not even cause a hiccup among the Romans. Jesus was alone at the time. Even the twelve disowned him.

"Significant discrepancies exist between archaeological findings and Josephus' writings. Josephus mentions only one of the two palaces that have been excavated, refers only to one fire, while many buildings show fire damage, and claims that 960 people were killed, while the remains of only 28 bodies have been found."

He’s not talking about Jesus 's revolt, which indeed would’ve gone unnoticed in Rome itself. But the Judean revolt in 66-70 AD, and the Bar Kochba revolt of the 130's. Both of these events were preceded by Wars with Parthia. But those wars were over, or at least suspended during the Jewish revolts. Those were very much noticed and were a cause of great concern. The Roman Victory propelled Vespasian to become emperor.

 

[Lion IRC]

Where else in the Roman Empire was religion the primary cause of civil unrest?
Monotheism must have been the only religion which couldn't easily be assimilated.

 

[BH]

I don't know about Bar Kachba's time but weren't there other revolts in the Empire at the time of the one in 66-70AD?

 

[Politesse]

It was certainly taken seriously; it figured heavily in Roman propaganda for centuries afterward, suggesting its importance.

But most dangerous threat is a subjective claim for one, and I find it dubious. What about the time the Gauls under Brennus sacked the city, a nearly existential threat that forever redefined the Republic and indirectly led to the genocide against the Gauls under Julius Caesar?

 

[steve_bank]

No threat at all I imagine.

Rome lived by conquest and tribute.