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  Into His Own
A good overview of the world of Jesus, both Jewish and Roman. From the Religion Department at Rutgers University. Well organized with lots of translations of primary texts.

 The Separation of Early Christianity from Judaism
A good doctoral dissertaion, examining the early developments of the Christian liturgy and other elements of the Church. By Dr. Marianne Josephine Dacy.

 Jewish Groups at the Time of Jesus
Very helpful for keeping straight the important differences between such groups as the Pharisees, Zealots, High Priests, Scribes, and Saducees. From Father Felix Just, S.J., of Loyola Marymount University. Also useful:
- Texts By and About the Pharisees and Sadducees
- Pharisees
- Sadducees

 Rulers in Israel during the Roman Era
A helpful review from Father Felix Just, S.J., of Loyola Marymount University.

Roman Sources on Jews and Judaism
A small but helpful compilation of basic texts from Josephus, Augustus, Claudius, Strabo and Tacitus. Another source:
- Inscriptions Documenting Jews and Judaism in the Greco-Roman Diaspora


The Signs of the Messiah
By Dead Sea Scrolls scholar James Tabor, looks at the parallels between the fragment called "Messianic Apocalypse" and early Gospel traditions. Also, see Dr. Tabor's article:
- Millennial Hopes and Disappointments in the Essene Community

 Where Jerusalem's Essene Community Lived in Jesus' Time
A Benedictine monk in Jerusalem and world-class biblical archeologist, Father Bargil Pixner argues that the Essenes, the community that produced the Dead Sea Scrolls, lived on Mount Zion at the time of Jesus and the apostles. Don't miss, too, by Father Pixner:
- Church of the Apostles Found on Mount Zion
- Q&A with Bargil Pixner

 Community of Goods among the First Christians and the Essenes
A good study by Justin Taylor, S.M., of the University of Notre Dame.

 The Practice of Christianity in Roman Africa
A good and growing site devoted to understanding the early Church in North Africa during the second to seventh centuries. Includes:
- Burial Practices and Care for the Dead
- Baptism and Initiation Rituals
- Cult of the Saints
- Eucharist and other Ritual Meals
- Penance
- Church Leadership: Roles and Requirements
- Books and Reading
- Marriage and Family
- Pious Practices
- Prayer

Slide Shows:
- Hippo Regius: Basilica and Baptistry
- Madaura: City and Basilica
- Tipasa: Basilica, Baptistry, Cemetery