BC Crothers

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TREE OF KNOWLEDGE

SAGA ONE of Four Sagas

JUDAS OF GAMALA was a terrorist leader of Palestine's Zealot Sect's fighting force. His narrative is vital for two reasons: First, the background of the religious and sociological elements of late BCE up to mid-70s CE has historically been referred to, but never put into a story form. The struggles of this period bring new understandings into the death of Ancient Judaism and the beginnings of Christianity. Second, the stories of the sagas introduce us to a portion of Zealot history that did its part in contrarily obliterating Jewish life in 70-73 CE Palestine.

Revolving doors in Palestine's leadership contributed to the despair of the 'am ha-aretz (common people). It began with paranoic judgments of Herod the Great, his son Archelaus' bumbling mismanagement, and Rome's replacement of prefects and army generals. Added to that was Jerusalem Temple's yearly turnover in the Highpriest's office, stifling manmade laws that dulled their spiritual lives, and a people's determination to destroy the taxation burden that kept them in bondage.

In this volume, citizens live in constant worry because their lives lack security and safety. Rome's political changes, Roman soldiers' demands, scarcity of food, and fear of the growing population of bandits and fake messiahs are all leading to a breakdown in society.

Hope arrives through the acts of Judas of Gamala and his Zealot Freedom Fighters. This movement acts in ways the people cannot. Their goal is to keep their Land free from infidels, for this Holy Land became theirs—the Chosen People—through the Words of their One God. No act is beyond them as they employ violence and show no mercy. Rome calls them terrorists, but their people call them heroes.

You will walk in Judas of Gamala's footsteps, knowing his thoughts, hearing his words, engaging in his relationships, and participating in his actions. Follow him as he plans executions, cheats Rome, and decides who lives or dies. By the time the volume ends, we will better understand the motivations behind being a terrorist.

Book Review: Story of Terrorism — Crothers

A compelling blend of scholarship and narrative that brings first-century Judea vividly to life.

Story of Terrorism centers on the little-explored figure of Judas of Gamala, a first-century CE terrorist caught between the crushing power of Roman oppression, religious ferment, and the hope of Jewish resistance. Crothers presents a world of overwhelming taxation, priestly corruption, and shifting allegiances where the choice between submission and revolt is stark and immediate.

The narrative unfolds with the pace and color of a novel — reconstructed dialogue, atmospheric settings, and vivid descriptions weave together a portrait of daily life and political upheaval. Despite its novelistic energy, the book is rigorous: supplemental glossaries, explanatory notes, and “Of Interest” sections provide clear historical grounding without interrupting the story’s flow.

This is both a meticulous and imaginative work, accessible to scholars and general readers alike. Crothers not only illuminates a pivotal historical era but also raises thoughtful questions about the origins of terrorism, the meaning of faith, and the human hunger for liberation.

Verdict: A powerful, readable history that balances scholarly care with narrative drive — highly recommended for anyone interested in ancient history, political violence, or the roots of religious and social upheaval.