Section 4 Summary and Analysis

Chapters 8 and 9, describe results from the interim rule of Judea by the Romans and its effect on Jerusalem and surrounding areas. Chapter 8 War Clouds describes beginning conflicts that stimulated all out war. Nero named Festus as the procurator of Judea and he successfully eliminated a great number of bandits in the country. He was followed by Albinus as procurator who allowed widespread robbery, looting and excessive taxation that crippled the nation. His successor as procurator was Gessius Florus who acted worse than Albinus by boasting about his wrongdoing that made the people flee. His Syrian ally was the legate of Syria named Cestius Gallus who could not be asked about Florus until Passover when three million gathered to complain in Florus' presence. Florus accompanied Cestius to Caesarea to disguise his intention to cause trouble. The Temple was desecrated by hostile youths...