In this four-session seminar, we’ll examine the archaeology of 2nd Temple Period Judaism and the Roman Empire to learn about the cultural contexts from which Christianity emerged.
This seminar is divided into four sessions:
- Qumran and the Dead Sea Scrolls: The Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered near the archaeological site of Qumran near the Dead Sea. But who lived here? What can we learn about the people behind the Dead Sea Scrolls?
- The Galilee Region: The Gospels describe Jesus as a man from Galilee, a relatively rural corner of The Levant. But what do we know about the Galilee? What has archaeology revealed about this region? Topics will include examining artifacts from Capernaum, Magdala, and Tiberius.
- The Roman Occupation of Judea: Between 66 and 73 CE, the Judeans fought against the Romans in the First Jewish-Roman War. In this session, we will examine the archaeology of two major battles, Masada and Gamla, to learn Roman war tactics and how these battles unfolded.
- Paul’s Cities: The archaeology of Corinth, Ephesus, and Miletus. The Apostle Paul presumably travelled all over the Mediterranean world, including to cities like Corinth and Ephesus. But what were these cities like? What is the archaeological context of Paul’s missionary journeys?