The social context of craftsmen in Roman Palestine 70-250 CE: 70-250 CE

This article aims to extend the research to Jewish society in Roman Palestine in the late Roman period 70-250 CE, positing that there was gradual development of groups of craftsmen that advanced beyond the level of “dispossessed farmers,” who achieved a modest level of financial security that gave them social stature, and drew the attention of the spiritual leadership. This research does not deal with the quantity of these successful crafts- men, merely determining that these types of people existed and were found in the towns and cities of Roman Palestine. These individuals or groups of people achieved social status that exceeded their economic gains because they provided society with a service or product that was needed and respected.