Return to Timeline of Jewish History: Table of Contents

66-73	First Jewish Revolt against Rome.
69	Vespasian gives Yochanan ben Zakkai permission to establish a Jewish center for study at Yavneh that will become the hub for rabbinic Judaism.
70	Destruction of Jerusalem and the second Temple,
73	Last stand of Jews at Masada.
ca. 90-100	Gamaliel II excludes sectarians (including Christians) from the synagogues.
ca. 90-150	Writings (third and last division of Jewish Scriptures) discussed and accepted as sacred scripture.
114-117	Jewish Revolts against Rome in Cyprus, Egypt and Cyrene. The Great Synagogue and the Great Library in Alexandria are destroyed as well as the entire Jeiwsh community of Cyprus. Afterwards, Jews were forbidden on Cyprus.
120-135	Rabbi Akiva active in consolidating Rabbinic Judaism.
132-135	Bar Kokhba rebellion (Second Jewish Revolt). Roman forces kill an estimated half a million Jews and destroy 985 villages and 50 fortresses.
136	Hadrian renames Jerusalem Aelia Capatolina and builds a Pagan temple over the the site of the Second Temple. He also forbids Jews to dwell there. Judea (the southern portion of what is now called the West Bank) was renamed Palaestina in an attempt to minimize Jewish identification with the land of Israel.
138-161	Antoninus Pius, Hadrian's sucessor, repeals many of the previously instituted harsh policies towards Jews.
193-211	Roman emperor Lucious Septimus Severus treats Jews relatively well, allowing them to participate in public offices and be exempt from formalities contrary to Judaism. However, he did not allow the Jews to convert anyone
ca. 200	Mishnah (Jewish oral law) compiled/edited under Judah the Prince.
203	Because of his health, Judah HaNasi relocates the center of Jewish learning from Beth Shearim to Sepphoris.
212	Roman Emperor Caracalla allows free Jews within the empire to become full Roman citizens.
220	Babylonian Jewish Academy founded at Sura by Rab.
220-470	Amoraim, or Mishna scholars, flourish. The Amoraim's commentary, along with the Mishna, comprises the Talmud.
222-235	Emperor Alexander Severus allowed for a revival of Jewish rights, including permission to visit Jerusalem.
ca. 250	Babylonian Jews flourish (as does Manichaeism) under Persian King Shapur I.
306	One of the first Christian councils, the Council of Elvira, forbids intermarriage and social interaction with Jews.
315	Code of Constantine limits rights of non-Christians, is Constantine's first anti-Jewish act.
359	Hillel creates a new calendar based on the lunar year to replace the dispersed Sanhedrin, which previously announced the festivals.
368	Jerusalem Talmud compiled.
370-425	Hillel founds Beit Hillel, a school emphasizing tolerance and patience. Hillel, a descendant of King David, is one of the first scholars to devise rules to interpret the Torah.
410	Rome sacked by Visigoths.
425	Jewish office of Nasi/Prince abolished by Rome.
426	Babylonian Talmud compiled.
439	Theodosis enacts a code prohibiting Jews from holding important positions involving money. He also reenacts a law forbidding the building of new synagogues.
500	Babylonian Talmud recorded. After conquering Italy in 493, Ostrogoth king Theodoric issues an edict safeguarding the Jews and ensuring their right to determine civil disputes and freedom of worship.

Timeline of Jewish History

3800 B.CE - 2001 BCE - The Dawn of “History”
2000 B.C.E. - 587 BCE - Context of Ancient Israelite Religion
538 BCE - 70 CE - Judaism After the Babylonian Exile
230 BCE-400 CE - Rule of Rome
70 - 500 - Rabbinic Jewish Period of Talmud Development
325 - 590 - Consolidation & Dominance of Classical Christianity
600 - 1500 - “Medieval” Period in the West
570 - 1258 - Reception & Classical Development of Muhammad's Islamic Message
1095-1258 - Crusades
1258-1500 - Further Transitions and Rebuilding of Political Islam
1291-1516 - Mamluk Rule
1517-1569 - Reformation and Post-Reformation Christian Period
1500-1920 - Dominance of Ottoman Muslim Empire in Turkey
1700-1917 - Jewish Modern and Contemporary Periods
1914-1918 - Islamic Unrest and Realignment in the Middle East
1918-1947 - British Rule in Palestine
1947-Present - Modern Israel & the Diaspora

Timeline for the History of Jerusalem - 4500 B.C.E.-Present

Rabbinic Jewish Period of Talmud Development (70-500 CE)