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— CH. 1 · PROVINCIAL ORIGINS AND FORMATION —

Syria Palaestina

~4 min read · Ch. 1 of 5
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  • In 6 AD, the Roman province of Judaea shifted its capital from Jerusalem to Caesarea Maritima. This administrative change marked the beginning of direct Roman rule over the region following the deposition of Herod Archelaus. The general population began to be taxed by Rome during this period. Jewish leaders retained broad discretion over affairs within Judaism despite the new oversight. The kingdom of Herod the Great had been split into a tetrarchy in 4 BCE before gradually being absorbed into Roman provinces. Neighboring Syria annexed Iturea and Trachonitis while expanding its own borders. The original province inherited territory from Herodian client states but eventually encompassed much larger areas than those early dominions. Historian Hayim Hillel Ben-Sasson described Caesarea as the administrative capital of the region starting in that year.

  • Emperor Hadrian changed the name of the province from Judaea to Syria Palaestina after the Bar Kokhba revolt ended in 135 CE. A military diploma from 139 CE already used the new designation while coins issued before the revolt still referred to Judaea. Classicist Louis Feldman wrote that the aim was to obliterate the Jewish character of the land using the name of the nearest tribe. Historian Ze'ev Safrai stated the renaming motivated an effort to wipe out all memory of the bond between Jews and the land. Werner Eck called it a deliberate and exceptional act of punishment inflicted on the Jews for losing their name. David Jacobson suggested the change might have been practical to reflect the larger area encompassed by the province. Herodotus had used the term Palestine five centuries earlier when discussing parts of the Achaemenid Empire. The full quote from Herodotus mentioned Phoenicia, Cyprus, and that part of Syria which is called Palestine.

  • Ancient sources reported extensive destruction and high casualty rates following the suppression of the Bar Kokhba revolt. Settlements such as Herodion and Bethar were destroyed during the course of the revolt. Jews were expelled from districts including Gophna, Herodion, and Aqraba. Many Jewish captives were sold into slavery across the Roman Empire contributing to an increase in the diaspora. Moshe David Herr estimated that by the end of the 4th century Jews made up only about one-third of the population. Rabbi Eleazar ben Pedat noted that most of the Land of Israel was now in the hands of gentiles. Archaeological evidence shows gentile migrants from Arabia, Syria, and Phoenicia settled in the area after land confiscation. The new colony of Aelia Capitolina was populated by Roman veterans and migrants from western parts of the empire. By AD 300 Jews formed around a quarter of the population while Samaritans concentrated in Samaria.

  • Christian interest resumed with the pilgrimage of Empress Helena c. 326, 28 CE. She was the mother of Constantine the Great who initiated this religious shift. New pagan cities were founded at Eleutheropolis now known as Bayt Jibrin and Diopolis now called Lod. Nicopolis also emerged as another Hellenized city under Septimius Severus between 193 and 211 AD. The line of Jewish bishops in Jerusalem ceased to exist within the Empire after the wars ended. Hans Küng suggested that Jewish Christians sought refuge in the Arabian Peninsula during these turbulent times. By the fifth century Christianity had gained further ground through migration and conversion of pagans and Samaritans. Christians formed a majority in Palestine and Jerusalem by that later period. Epiphanius believed the Cenacle survived despite the destruction of the original temple structure.

  • In circa 390 Syria Palaestina was reorganized into several administrative units including Prima Secunda and Salutaris. Palaestina Prima consisted of Judaea Samaria Peraea and Caesarea as its administrative center. Scythopolis became the seat of government for Palaestina Secunda which included Galilee and the Decapolis. Petra served as the usual residence of the governor for Palaestina Tertia or Salutaris covering the Negev and Sinai. All provinces were included within the larger Eastern Roman Diocese of the East alongside Isauria and Cilicia. Diocletian added much of Arabia Petraea to the province around 300 CE. He moved Legio X Fretensis from Aelia Capitolina to Aila today known as Eilat or Aqaba. The border wall called Limes Arabicus was pushed further south to secure against Arab incursions. Diocletian boundary stones marked village lands and tax jurisdictions across the Golan Heights and Hula Valley.

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Common questions

When did the Roman province of Judaea shift its capital to Caesarea Maritima?

The Roman province of Judaea shifted its capital from Jerusalem to Caesarea Maritima in 6 AD. This administrative change marked the beginning of direct Roman rule over the region following the deposition of Herod Archelaus.

Why did Emperor Hadrian rename the province Syria Palaestina after 135 CE?

Emperor Hadrian changed the name of the province from Judaea to Syria Palaestina after the Bar Kokhba revolt ended in 135 CE. Historians state the renaming aimed to obliterate the Jewish character of the land and wipe out all memory of the bond between Jews and the land.

What was the demographic composition of Syria Palaestina by the end of the 4th century?

Moshe David Herr estimated that by the end of the 4th century Jews made up only about one-third of the population in Syria Palaestina. Gentile migrants from Arabia, Syria, and Phoenicia settled in the area after land confiscation while Samaritans concentrated in Samaria.

Which cities were founded as new pagan centers during the Christian resurgence in Syria Palaestina?

New pagan cities were founded at Eleutheropolis now known as Bayt Jibrin and Diopolis now called Lod. Nicopolis also emerged as another Hellenized city under Septimius Severus between 193 and 211 AD.

How did Diocletian reorganize Syria Palaestina around 300 CE?

Diocletian added much of Arabia Petraea to the province around 300 CE and moved Legio X Fretensis from Aelia Capitolina to Aila today known as Eilat or Aqaba. In circa 390 Syria Palaestina was reorganized into several administrative units including Prima Secunda and Salutaris.

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All sources

51 references cited across the entry

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