- When the Romans first conquered Judea, they established Roman law by installing a Roman governor and related forces. Initial control kept up the facade of a Judean monarchy; Herod was made "king" of Judea. After Herod's death, Rome discarded the appearances and implemented a full administrative control of Judea with governors and prefects, basically making the region a colony under military control.
- People born to Roman citizens within the Roman Empire in recognized territories were granted Roman citizenship. Citizenship could also be gained by service or military duty. This title and right gave the person the ability to vote, own property and appeal government decisions. In Judea, it was possible for Jewish persons to gain citizenship. Once granted, the person was a Roman citizen on par with a similarly titled person from Rome. One of the most famous Judean Roman citizens was Paul the Apostle; citizenship enabled him to move around as a missionary between Roman territories.
- Taxation is not a new concept. Ancient governments used it to raise money like they do today, and the Romans did not give Judeans any waivers or exemptions from the financial burden. In fact, under the first Roman-approved king, Herod, taxation was particularly onerous and heavy. How much taxation was involved is not clear, but it was enough that Herod was hated for it among other acts. To make matters worse, a Judean could have been arrested and punished for not paying taxes or could lose his property.
- While the Romans allowed Judea to maintain its religious judicial system as determined by the Jewish priesthood, ultimately, final decision making was determined by the Romans. One of the most famous cases illustrating this hybrid culture trial system was the prosecution of Jesus. His final legal fate was determined not by the temple priests of Judea but rather by the Roman governor, or prefect, Pontius Pilate. The priests were allowed to condemn, but the final approval had to come from the Roman prefect of the region.
- Judeans did not do themselves any favors with revolts in the first Jewish war from 63 A.D to 77 A.D, or the second one from 132 to 135 A.D. -- also known as the Bar Kokhba revolt. Both of these events brought Roman wrath down on Judea in the form of destruction and martial law on those survivors who were enslaved. Any semblance of Judean government in this period was replaced with a Roman administrator. Enslaved Jews lost all remaining legal rights, instead becoming the property of Romans, who often sold these "possessions" in foreign slave markets.
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