Rome

Rome enters the biblical narrative as a distant western power whose reputation reaches Judea, hardens into the iron of an apocalyptic vision, and finally becomes the address line of a Pauline letter and the place where companions of Paul lodge, search him out, and send greetings. The city is named directly in 1 Maccabees and in the New Testament, and is figured (without being named) in Daniel and in Revelation.

The Fame of the Romans

The first sustained notice of Rome in the UPDV books concerns Judas Maccabeus' decision to seek alliance. The text introduces the Romans as a power whose reach is already legendary in Judea: "[Now Judas had heard of the fame of the Romans, that they were powerful and received all who came to them.] So Judas chose Eupolemus the son of John, the son of Accos, and Jason the son of Eleazar, an" (1Ma 8:17). The journey itself is registered as an undertaking: "And they went to Rome, a very long journey, and they entered into the senate house, and said:" (1Ma 8:19). The terms returned to Jerusalem, engraved in tablets of brass, open with a formal salutation: "GOOD SUCCESS BE TO THE ROMANS, and to the people of the Jews by sea and by land, forever: and far be the sword and enemy from them" (1Ma 8:23).

A different angle on the same era frames Rome as a place from which a claimant returns: "In the hundred and fifty-first year Demetrius the [son] of Seleucus departed from Rome, and came up with a few men into a city of the seacoast, and reigned there" (1Ma 7:1). Rome is already, by this point, the city where heirs of the eastern thrones can be held and from which they can move.

Treaty, Renewal, and the Shield of Gold

The alliance sought under Judas is renewed under his successors. Jonathan reopens the channel: "And Jonathan saw that the time served him, and he chose certain men, and sent them to Rome, to confirm and to renew the friendship with them" (1Ma 12:1); "And they went to Rome, and entered into the senate house, and said: Jonathan the high priest, and the nation of the Jews, have sent us to renew the friendship and alliance, as it was before" (1Ma 12:3).

When Jonathan dies the news travels: "And it was heard at Rome, and as far as Sparta, that Jonathan was dead: and they were very sorry" (1Ma 14:16). Simon takes up the diplomacy with a tangible token: "And after this Simon sent Numenius to Rome, with a great shield of gold, of the weight of a thousand minas, to confirm the alliance with them" (1Ma 14:24). The Roman reception of Simon's embassy is reported as part of the public record by which his own people confirm him in his offices: "For he had heard that the Romans had called the Jews their friends, and allies, and brothers, and that they had received Simon's ambassadors with honor:" (1Ma 14:40). The return of Numenius closes the cycle: "And Numenius, and those who had been with him, came from the city of Rome, having letters written to the kings and countries, the contents of which were these:" (1Ma 15:15).

The Iron Kingdom

In Daniel's interpretation of the great image, the fourth kingdom is described as iron. The text does not name Rome, but it sets the iron after the bronze, and it gives the iron a divided extension in the feet and toes: "And the fourth kingdom will be strong as iron, since iron breaks in pieces and subdues all things; and as iron that crushes all these, it will break in pieces and crush" (Dan 2:40). "And whereas you saw the feet and toes, part of potters' clay, and part of iron, it will be a divided kingdom; but there will be in it of the strength of the iron, since you saw the iron mixed with miry clay" (Dan 2:41). "And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom will be partly strong, and partly broken" (Dan 2:42). "And whereas you saw the iron mixed with miry clay, they will mingle themselves with the seed of men; but they will not stick one to another, even as iron does not mingle with clay" (Dan 2:43).

A Letter Addressed to Rome

By the time of Paul's correspondence, Rome is no longer only the western patron — it is also a Christian congregation. Paul's letter to the Romans opens with the city named in the address: "to all who are in Rome, beloved of God, [the] called saints: Grace to you⁺ and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ" (Rom 1:7). A few verses later Paul states his readiness to come: "So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the good news to you⁺ also who are in Rome" (Rom 1:15). And immediately after, he frames the message he wants to bring there: "For I am not ashamed of the good news: for it is the power of God to salvation to everyone who believes; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek" (Rom 1:16).

Companions and Greetings From Rome

Two further passages bring Rome into view as a city where Paul is held and where fellow Christians are with him or look for him. Paul's note about Onesiphorus turns on a deliberate search: "The Lord grant mercy to the house of Onesiphorus: for he often refreshed me, and wasn't ashamed of my chain;" (2 Tim 1:16); "but, when he was in Rome, he sought me diligently, and found me" (2 Tim 1:17). Closing the same letter, Paul names brothers who send greetings: "Be diligent to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brothers" (2 Tim 4:21).

The Philippian letter reports a more striking household: "All the saints greet you⁺, especially those who are of Caesar's household" (Php 4:22). Christians are present inside the imperial residence itself.

Babylon the Great

In Revelation, a great city is named under the older name of Israel's eastern oppressor. The figure is introduced with a forehead-inscription: "and on her forehead a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF THE WHORES AND OF THE DETESTABLE THINGS OF THE EARTH" (Rev 17:5). The interpreting angel marks two clues: "Here is the mind that has wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sits: and they are seven kings;" (Rev 17:9). And then the identification: "And the woman whom you saw is the great city, which reigns over the kings of the earth" (Rev 17:18).

The fall is announced in the next vision: "And he cried with a mighty voice, saying, Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, and has become a dwelling place of demons, and a hold of every unclean spirit, and a hold of every unclean bird, and a hold of every unclean and hateful beast" (Rev 18:2). The kings of the earth take up the lament: "standing far off for the fear of her torment, saying, Woe, woe, the great city, Babylon, the strong city! For in one hour is your judgment come" (Rev 18:10). The text gives the markers — seven mountains, kings of the earth, the great city — and leaves the identification to the reader.