Jerusalem in the Second Temple period experienced dramatic growth as it achieved unprecedented political, religious, and spiritual prominence. Lee Levine traces the development of Jerusalem during this time - through its urban, demographic, topographical, and archeological features, its political regimes, public institutions, and its cultural and religious life. Readers will find helpful the many photos, maps, and illustrations, and the extensive notes and indexes that support Levine's impeccable research.

Galilee was the center of Jewish life in Palestine after the sedtruiction of Jerusalem in 70 C.E. as well as a region of prime importance in early Christian history. Here the outstanding scholars in the fiels present the most up-to-date research: Americans, Israelis, Europeans; Jews and Christians; historians and archaeologists; students of New Testament and rabbinic literature; and those who concentrate on the sociological and cultural aspects of the Galilee. Among the issues examined in these twenty essays: the first Christians; Jewish-Christian conflict; first-century social and economic conditions; the Roman army and rule in Galilee; the role of the rabbi in Jewish society; the sages and the synagogue; Hebrew and Aramaic language and literature; archeological evidence of ancient synagogues, Roman Sepphoris, and social aspects of burial. Combining such a diversity of interests and expertise, The Galilee in Late Antiquity offers penetratinf new insights on the vibrant period from the first to the seventh centuries.

Generations of scholars have debated the influence of Greco-Roman culture on Jewish society and the degree of its impact on Jewish material culture and religious practice in Palestine and the Diaspora of antiquity. Judaism and Hellenism in Atiquity examines this phenomenon from the aftermath of Alexander's conquest to the Byzantine era, offering a balanced view of the literary, epigraphical, and archeological evidence attesting to the process of Hellenization in Jewish life and its impact on several aspects of Judaism as we know it today.

Lee Levine approaches this broad subject in three essays, each focusing on diverse issues in Jewish culture: Jerusalem at the end of the Second Temple period, rabbinic tradition, and the ancient synagogue. With his comprehensive and thorough knowledge of the intricate dynamics of the Jewish and Greco-Roman societies, the author demonstrates the complexities of Hellenization and its role in shaping many aspects of Jewish life -- economic, social, political, cultural, and religious. He argues against oversimplication and encourages a more nuanced view, whereby the Jews of antiquity survived and prospered, despite the social and political upheavals of this era, emerging as perpetuators of their own Jewish traditions while open to change from the outside world.

In his comprehensive history of the synagogue from the Hellenistic period through Late Antiquity, Lee Levine traces the origins and development of this dynamic and revolutionary institution. This revised paperback edition reflects the latest information in the field and includes a wealth of recently published material ranging from excavation reports and monographs to articles appearing in edited volumes and scholarly journals.
Reviews of the first edition:
0;Will undoubtedly remain for a long time the leading work of reference in the field.1;2;Stefan C. Reif, "Times Literary Supplement"
0;Monumental.1;2;Martin S. Jaffee, "Religious Studies Review"
0;A necessary read for any serious student of Judaism or Christianity in Late Antiquity.1;2;Christopher Beall, "Journal of Jewish Studies"
0;A splendid and imposing achievement that crowns the career of an outstanding scholar.1;2;Morton I. Techer, "Jerusalem Post"
0;[In] this handsome volume . . . [Levine] has provided us with the single best survey of all relevant historical, archaeological, architectural, and institutional issues related to one of the oldest surviving institutions of the world.1;2;Eckhard J. Schnabel, "Trinity Journal"