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The Roman Empire and the New Testament: An Essential Guide is unavailable, but you can change that!

An indispensable introduction to Roman society, culture, law, politics, religion, and daily life as they relate to the study of the New Testament.The Roman Empire formed the central context in which the New Testament was written. Anyone who wishes to understand the New Testament texts must become familiar with the political, economic, societal, cultural, and religious aspects of Roman rule. Much...

Taxes and rents were usually paid in goods, so a peasant farmer or fisherman literally handed over to elites an estimated 20 to 40 percent of the catch, crop, or herd. To not pay taxes was regarded as rebellion because it refused recognition of Rome’s sovereignty over land, sea, labor, and production. Rome’s military retaliation was inevitable and ruthless. The Roman Empire was also a legionary empire. In addition to controlling resources, the elite ruled this agrarian empire by coercion. The dominant