Kingdoms in Conflict: The Fall of Ancient Israel and Judea

About
3 week course with Professor Peter Schattner
The ancient land of Israel—comprising the northern kingdom (also called Israel, somewhat confusingly) and the southern kingdom of Judea—was the stage for a series of pivotal and far-reaching conflicts. The Assyrian conquest led to the disappearance of the northern kingdom, while the Babylonian invasion brought about a defining period of exile. The first Roman-Jewish War, also known as the Great Revolt, resulted in the destruction of the Second Temple and laid the foundations for Rabbinic Judaism. Less familiar, but equally significant, were the second (Kitos) and third (Bar Kokhba) uprisings against Rome, which shaped the Jewish experience for nearly two thousand years.
This three-part lecture series explores the historical context, major events, and lasting impacts of these ancient wars on Jewish history and identity. This series is Part A of a two-part course; Part B, focusing on conflicts in modern Israel, is planned for Semester 1, 2026.
Date
Thursday 4 September 2025 11:30 AM - Thursday 18 September 2025 1:00 PM (UTC+10)