Iudaea Novel

Welcome the official site of Iudæa – the story of a Roman cavalry officer who is pulled from his assignment patrolling Hadrian’s Wall in Britannia to the hills of Iudaea where a Jewish rebellion rages.  Ripped from his family, the conflict challenges everything he knows: his friendships, his ideals, the very purpose of his life.  The story reveals the Roman world of the 2nd century and the events surrounding the epic Bar Kokhba Revolt while showing one man’s struggle to reconcile his responsibilities as a soldier, a husband, and a father.

Over the next six months I will release half a chapter a week for curious readers.  I hope you enjoy the story and I welcome all your comments and constructive criticism concerning both the history and the quality of the writing.

I will also be posting 1 or 2 additional posts a week showing the history behind the story and illustrations and images to compliment the writing.

Here is a tentative schedule of upcoming posts:

May 21 – Chapter 1, First Half
May 24 – History – Cassius Dio
May 27 – Chapter 1, Second Half
May 30 – Book Reviews: Rome and Jerusalem & Bandits, Prophets, and Messiahs
June 2 – Chapter 2, First Half
June 5 – History – Overview of Bar Kokhba Revolt
June 8 – Chapter 2, Second Half
June 11 – Book Review: The Roman Cavalry & The Roman Army at War 100 BC – AD 200
June 14 – Chapter 3, First Half

Thank you for your interest and I hope you come back often,

Jim Branch

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