The Political Map of Palestine in the Time of Jesus The Romans divided Palestine into a number of administrative regions.
The principal political regions of Palestine These were:
ò Galilee in the north ò Samaria in the centre ò Judaea in the south.
Communities People lived in one or other of the following:
ò the long-established Jewish cities (e.g. Jerusalem) and towns (e.g. Nazareth) ò the more recently built Roman cities (e.g. Caesarea) ò the small farming villages built around wells that dotted the more arable areas.
The languages of Palestine There were four different languages spoken:
ò Latin: the official language of the Roman Empire. ò Koiné: a form of Greek spoken throughout the eastern Mediterranean and used by merchants as the language of business.
ò Aramaic: the language spoken by the Jews in everyday life in Palestine. ò Hebrew: the ancient language of the Jews, now used only in their religious rituals.
Caesarea
Recent Roman-built city port where the Roman procurator lived for much of the year.
Jerusalem
The capital city of Palestine. Also its religious centre because the Temple stood there.
Decapolis
This consisted of ten cities founded by Alexander the Great.
