מלכות רומא בעיני בית חשמונאי ובראי האסיים

The purpose of this article is to compare the statements of the Dead Sea Sect on the Romans, as transmitted in Pesher Habakkuk, with the praise of Rome in I Maccabees, chapter 8. Whereas the praise in I Maccabees derives from an admiration of Rome's power, the similar statements in Pesher Habakkuk were written as a negation of Roman imperialism, and reflect accurately the opposition of those threatened by Rome. The attack on Roman imperialism in Pesher Habakkuk provides important evidence of opposition to Rome in those days, and the article compares this polemic with similar testimonies elsewhere in ancient literature. The author also attempts to explain the praise of Rome in I Maccabees within the context of Hasmonean politics following the death of John Hyrcanus.