{"id":10044,"date":"2023-10-15T15:25:08","date_gmt":"2023-10-15T14:25:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.learnancientrome.com\/?p=10044"},"modified":"2023-10-15T15:25:08","modified_gmt":"2023-10-15T14:25:08","slug":"when-did-jewdism-start-in-ancient-rome","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.learnancientrome.com\/when-did-jewdism-start-in-ancient-rome\/","title":{"rendered":"When Did Jewdism Start In Ancient Rome"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The practice of Judaism in Ancient Rome is as old as the city itself. It dates back to the formation of the Roman Republic in 509 B.C.E., when Jewish merchants and traders from the Mediterranean area began setting up shop in the city. For centuries afterward, Jews maintained an important presence in Roman life. Jews could be found in nearly every neighborhood and in many professions, from artisans and bankers to scholars and politicians.<\/p>\n

In the beginning, the Jews were very well respected in Ancient Rome, even after Emperor Augustus issued a ban against Jews within the city limits. In the 1st century, Emperor Tiberius added to the laws by prohibiting Jewish sacrifice and forcing Jews to pay special taxes, which caused a conflict between the Rome government and the Jewish community.<\/p>\n

The Jewish population of Ancient Rome was quite large, estimated at around 11,000 to 18,000 people. They were very active politically and economically, and over the centuries, numerous synagogues were built in the city. There is evidence of a synagogue as early as the 2nd century C.E. This synagogue housed a Torah scroll that is still in use today and is considered one of the oldest Jewish artifacts in the world. This torah scroll is kept in the Great Synagogue of Rome, which was built in the 12th century.<\/p>\n

Even though Jews were accepted in Roman culture, life for Jews in Ancient Rome was still far from perfect. Jews were often mistreated and discriminated against, especially during times of political unrest. In 19 C.E., Emperor Tiberius expelled the entire Jewish population from Rome. This expulsion only lasted a few months before they were allowed to return to their homes, but this event did not stop the Jews from living peacefully in the city.<\/p>\n