This collection of papers combines important archaeological and textual evidence to examine diverse aspects of religion and society in Roman Palestine.

A range of international experts provide an unprecedented look at issues of acculturation, assimilation and the preservation of difference in the multicultural climate of Palestine in the Roman period.

Key themes include:

* the nature of ethnicity and ritual

* the character of public and private space in Jewish society

* the role of gender and space

* the role of peasants

* the impact of Roman rule

* ritual and the regional framework of Qumran and the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Religion and Society in Roman Palestine will be relevant to ancient historians, interpreters of the historical Jesus and subsequent Jesus movements, and those interested in the development of Judaism from Qu'ran to the rabbis.