ABSTRACT
The broader political and cultural context within which the Revolt and its first wave of interpreters existed is Flavian Rome. Whenever we are discussing the Revolt we are confronting Flavian writers, propagandists, and sources, all of whom were shaped by their particular political context. Outside of the archaeological evidence, what we know about the Revolt has been primarily refracted through the lens of Flavian policies and proclivities. This is as true of reports of the Revolt as of much of the literature-Roman, Rabbinic, and early Christian-that follows in its wake. This has been often overlooked, and it is understandably tempting to focus completely on the events in Judea around the time of the Revolt. Viewing the Revolt from the point of view of Flavian goals, problems, and propaganda, however, is revealing and instructive.
