ABSTRACT
. While the nation was mourning the loss of its independence and honor, Rome was exulting in the successes of her great general, in whose triumphal procession marched the captives of nearly all known peoples. Aristobulus, the Jewish king, walked in front of the royal chariot, and in the train which followed were many of his countrymen. Saved, with all the other captives, from execution by the humanity of Pompey, they found a dwelling-place in a district of the city on the right bank of the Tiber and formed the Roman Jewish community, which in its descendants was destined to exert a mighty influence upon the affairs both of Rome and all succeeding nations. The Pharisees looked with undisguised satisfaction upon the great change which had taken place in the national situation. The masses of the people, however, were not so ready to accept the new order as were their spiritual teachers. The national spirit lived on among them, and they were ready to seize any promising opportunity to get back their independence. They were taught with increasing emphasis that the Messiah would correct all their misfortunes, and thus were instructed to find their daily satisfactions in the earnest duties of religion, and in the quiet occupations of the field or of trade; but when, at times, appeal was made to them to strike for freedom, they responded with surprising alacrity.
