Israel

Used to refer to the part of Palestine inhabited by the Jews as well as the nation of Jews in general.

Galilee

A region in Palestine that maintained a wide variety of cultural influences. The traditional home of Jesus and the birthplace of the Jesus movements.

Rome

The capital and seat of government for the Western Roman Empire, and the site of the Roman church which came to dominate Christianity.

Roman Empire

The empire that controlled the Mediterranean and Near East at the time of the rise of Christianity. Ruled for a time from the capitols of Rome in the west and Constantinople in the east. Christianity became the official state religion of the Roman Empire under the emperor Constantine.

Mosaic Scriptures

The five books of scripture attributed to Moses that formed the basis of the Jewish law and which were adopted by the Christian church as...